OPINION: IS EXCITEMENT OVERRATED? HOLIDAY EDITION

    I am someone who LOVES the holidays, specifically Christmas. By love, I mean listening to Christmas music in July and watching Christmas movies whenever I feel like it. Me and my best friend always search up the google countdown to Christmas whenever we’re together. I love everything about Christmas. I love the cheerful mood, the Christmas trees, the colorful lights, gingerbread houses, gift planning, candy canes, wrapping paper, ribbons, Christmas movies, hot chocolate, Christmas music, family time, cookies, and yes wearing Christmas pajamas! It is such an exciting rush.

    As someone who loves the holidays, I even deal with wanting to get it over with! What a paradox! While in Costco, with hundreds of other shoppers rushing around, trying to get the best deals, I thought to myself, “I AM OVER THE HOLIDAYS.” People were moving around me from every single direction and in a situation like that, you do not have the freedom to roam delicately though the store and take your time. In addition to shopping inconveniences, there are also the financial stressors. There is the deciding what to buy people and deciding who you are buying for pressures, while trying to keep on a budget. While excited to shop for my loved ones, I end up feeling a bit overwhelmed. The holidays can be very exhausting!

Additionally, I feel like during Christmas, I always have a checklist of every movie I need to watch, and every activity I need to do(because of my excitement), in order to feel fulfilled, and this is not always realistic, because of the unpredictability of life.

    In spite of all of that, what I love most about the holidays is the emphasis of love, family, warmth, giving, and what truly matters in life. It is refreshing to give to others and celebrate togetherness in a world that is very dark. It is a very sweet and intimate time to have with the people you love most.

It is safe to say that the holidays can cause a whirlwind of emotions: some good, some bad. While it is a joyous and exciting time, it also can be stressful and tiresome. The fact that I even thought about looking forward to the holidays being over concerns me, because it should never get to that conclusion. The reality is the holidays have been made out to be this spectacular event, and expectations are HIGH, when it really should be what you individually define it to be. While nothing is wrong with a little excitement/expectations, that same excitement along with the expectations can be unhealthy if it affects your mental health to the point where you break down and not enjoy it the way you want to. Take the pressure off and enjoy the holidays for what it means to you, and for everyone, that will look different.

Secondly, in the past, I used to find myself getting a little sad after the holidays, and it still happens to me sometimes. I do not know if it is because reality sets in after a little Christmas magic or if there is not this big exciting occasion to look forward to anymore, after three-four months. Not seeing the Christmas tree in my living room after seeing it for almost a month is a little depressing. No more colorful lights or decorations. The house is back to its plain state. The stores are empty and no longer playing Christmas music, what is left of Christmas merchandise is on clearance, and Valentine’s day chocolate is already being stocked. Everything returns back to its normal flow and the exhilarating rush is over.

    One way I have dealt with these emotions is by controlling my excitement. Your level of excitement is your choice. The holidays are great, yes, but it will ALWAYS be there every year. Instead of exalting the holidays above my everyday life, I try to enjoy it to the fullest, make the most of it, and leave it at that. All the extra noise is unnecessary. This does not just apply to the holidays (INSERT YOUR SOURCE OF WORLDLY EXCITEMENT.)

    While I will always LOVE the holidays, I also look forward to post-holiday relief. Decluttering the mind, planning out new year goals, working out all of the Ferrero Rocher, saving money and just looking forward to the new things God has in store. I do not get as sad anymore after the holidays, because I try to remain content in every moment and look forward to what is next. We most certainly would not want it to be Christmas or whichever holiday you celebrate, EVERYDAY, or it would lose its value.

    I know the holidays are one of the most decorated times of the year, but the other months count too, and are worth celebrating. Give all the other months the same energy you give the holidays, and I am sure you will look at life differently. Everyday you wake up should be a celebration. Learn to enjoy and celebrate the mundane, without getting too caught up with your ideal future. Be a good steward of what is in front of you. God has so much for us and that is worth getting healthily excited about every moment. It all comes down to your mentality.