How to deal with the "holiday blues"?

[tzs]

How do you deal with it, I have NEVER dealt with it well. My family lives in San Antonio, and My husband's family lives here in Austin with us, and since we have had our child, and my father in law has past away, there is always a "tug of war" between spending time with both sides. Its really depressing, because we are broke, our car is messed up, and everyone wants to be satisfied and spend time with the grandchild. To top it off, my birthday is christmas day, so you can see why I get the blues!!! What would you do to deal?

[kapeh12]

I can't say that I've ever experienced "holiday blues" - but that may be my family's outlook on how life is.  We tend to accept whatever life throws at us and make it work for us the best we can.  Our family is a bit spread out - most of us are within driving distance (2-3 hours), but my baby sister and her family are quite far away (we're in the mid-west, first she was in Florida, now they are in New England on the coast).

We just accepted that we wouldn't always be able to visit every year, and although it was sad, it wasn't the end of the world.  We send pictures, email and call to keep in touch and up-to-date.  On the holidays, we try to call whomever is not able to gather with the group so we can at least spend a little time "together" in spirit.  (And BTW, her birthday is on Dec. 21, so I know you're feeling about your b-day on Dec 25 as she'd always complain about her "combination" presents growing up)

My other sister has 5 kids, and when they were smaller, and it wasn't very feasible for them to travel to the family, we all adapted and those of us who were more mobile traveled to them instead.

Sometimes things would get in the way - unexpected work, colds, what-not - and if one of us couldn't make it, we'd be disappointed, but would take joy in hearing about the adventures we missed and tell them we'd see them "next time" whenever that may be.

Maybe start by focusing on your immediate family (you, husband, child) - and make that your official holiday.  That way you get to enjoy all the happiness your family brings.  Then if you are able to visit extended family (parents, brothers/sisters) - look at that as added bonus.

I hope you find a way to lift your spirits and enjoy the holiday season - maybe you can start some new traditions that will carry you forward into a new era of holiday celebration in your life.

[niecyhll]

I experience the holiday blues every year. It started in 1980 on New Years Eve, when my 19 year old brother passed away. Every since then the same time every year, I feel the blues. And since my mother and daughter both have passed, I feel the holiday blues even more. My mom passed in 1996, and my daughter passed in 2006 at the age of 21. But even though I feel sad, I am still blessed to be able to celebrate the holidays with my other family members.

[noirlupe]

I look for things to be happy about.  The Holidays are days to be happy and celebrate family and friends.

[kfarnan1990]

LISTEN TO MUSIC
TAKE A HOT BATH
RELAX
AND BE HAPPY

[yurah]

Just relax and do something you like

[dreamyxo]

I've never had holiday blues for me it's just another day nothing special to get stressed out over.

[premar16]

i like the music idea im spending my second christmas alone since my mother stopped speaking to me im in a dilema about wether i should reach out since its the holidays or spend it with friends who i know want me around

[ptfunds]

Count all the blessings in your life and you will feel more abundant and blessed than you could possible imagine.  Count what you don't have you'll never have enough. Turn your thinking around and the blues will be gone as you will not longer see it.  You will have turned your thoughts to brighter colors.  We all have this capacity at any moment.  It's up to each us!