It’s that time of year. If you are not one of the cheery sunshine people, here’s how to deal with it.
The Oatmeal has some thoughts on happiness that puts it into the proper perspective.
My solution to seasonal glumness: Read a good book (I’ll post a selection soon).
You’re at a party you really don’t want to be in: Find a quiet spot, read a good book. (Though my first solution is: Don’t go. Granted, you have to train for decades to resist the social pressure. I started by avoiding family gatherings from the time I was 11.)
You’re stuck in traffic, read a good book. If you’re driving, listen to a good audiobook.
If you need a plausible excuse to be absent from festivities, leave a comment and I’ll invent one for you. Who says fiction is not useful? Don’t feel guilty. It would be worse if you forced yourself to show up and made like it was a funeral.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
December 4th, 2016 at 20:36
To attend a Christmas party is bad enough. To attend a Christmas party WITH A DRESS CODE is worse. I thought I would attend the party with my casual get-up and just get the hell with it. Cash gifts will be distributed on the day of the party so to not attend is not an option. Haha.
December 4th, 2016 at 22:06
Glycolysis92: Treat the dress code with irony. Then avoid being the designated driver and enjoy the artificial cheer offered by the open bar.
December 4th, 2016 at 23:28
Simple. In an obligatory family gathering, give respect to the elders (mano po), and say hi or or have a chat with close relatives, then leave, ninja style. Works perfectly for me and I did that awhile ago.
In a social gathering, just sign the name, show up and greet good friends and say Happy Holidays, and then, leave the premises for the powers-to-be care less with minions or cogs. Just saying.
December 5th, 2016 at 00:30
This idea that we shouldn’t define our happiness based on others’ expectations and/or fomo should be more widespread. Thank you as always for helping us introspect and be real with ourselves.
As for myself, I’m happy that I’m only going out to see people I’m interested in this season. I hope the same for you and the rest of your readership JZ!
Are you back and/or available for coffee Dec 8?
December 5th, 2016 at 16:20
Eagerly waiting for your selection. ?