This is the first of a two-part posting looking at doing more of what makes you feel better. Now Halloween and Bonfire Night are done and dusted, we have the inevitable focus on Christmas and the subsequent inevitable debate around when it is deemed too early to start truly getting into the Christmas spirit.
It’s a debate which has always bemused me as, ultimately, like most other things in life, it’s a question of choice. If you want to embrace Christmas from November onward, you can. If you want to avoid it, by and large, you can. Yes, the TV adverts are now omnipresent, and some stores will now be playing Christmas music 24/7, but just shrug that off if you’re not a fan. It really isn’t a huge issue in the grand scheme of things. Do whatever works for you. If starting to celebrate Christmas now brings a little comfort and warmth into your life, that’s a good thing and should be embraced.
Christmas is my favourite time of year though I like to build up to it in stages. My preference is to put the decorations up and start the Christmas music playlists in December, though I do like the slow build-up from November onward. Things I appreciate, that give me a warm glow inside as they remind me that the festive season is almost upon us, include TV adverts, social media posts showing pictures of the Christmas Markets which have now opened, beginning the Christmas and New Year planning, starting to buy presents, the Food Network channel showing back-to-back Christmas shows, planning my Christmas countdown film schedule for December, pre-ordering my homemade Christmas cake from a very talented friend, seeing local independent businesses and restaurants get ready for their most profitable period, and many more. All these things bring a little joy to my heart – is that really a bad thing for any of us these days?
So, ultimately, whether it’s at Christmas or any other time of the year, live life how you want to. Figure out what makes you feel better, do more of it, and certainly do not worry about what others think. There will be more on this general theme next week though it’s especially important at this moment in time, given how much of a write-off Christmas 2020 was. I appreciate that Christmas is an unwelcome time of year for some, and we can only hope that they can find some support and comfort during what can be a difficult time. But, for a good number of us, it is a celebration which we really look forward to. Some of the words of Queen’s ‘Thank God It’s Christmas’ seem more appropriate than ever:
Oh, my love
We’ve had our share of tears
Oh, my friends
We’ve had our hopes and fears
Oh, my friends
It’s been a long hard year
But now it’s Christmas
Yes, it’s Christmas
Thank God it’s Christmas
As always, thanks for reading, stay safe and be kind to yourself and others. But especially yourself.
Best wishes.
Mick