Midlife’s A Trip

Deck the Halls, No Joy in Your World

Posted on 10. Dec, 2007 by Karen in Holidays

As the holiday season is upon us, does it feel like it’s really upon you–like a 500 lb Santa?  Are you stretched thin on time and energy?  I talked with my friend Catherine today who told me that she isn’t decorating for Christmas this year.  Now Catherine is a feng shui consultant.  She focuses on the energy in her space.  And what she is feeling is that she doesn’t need all the holiday stuff to get in the spirit of the season.

I’ve thought about my conversation with Catherine all day.  I haven’t put up my holiday decorations yet.  Why?  I just haven’t felt like it.  Not that I’m sad or not in the spirit.  But for starters, I just haven’t felt like dragging my pre-lit tree up from the basement.  It’s just a 6 1/2 foot tree but it might as well be 12 feet tall when you haul it up the stairs.  Then there’s setting up the tree.  If you could see me shaping every branch just so, both you and I would need a strong cup of some kind of holiday cheer. 

Most years I love decorating for Christmas.  This year, like Catherine, it’s just not where I want to expend my energy.  So I am giving myself permission not to put up a tree this year.  Oh I’ll still decorate my fireplace mantel and put touches of Christmas around my house.  But I’ll save my energy, both internal and external for what’s really important–spending time with family and friends. 

Is decking the halls squeezing the joy out of your world this holiday season?  Create a new tradition of putting lights on your ficus tree and save your energy for what matters.

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