This time of year!

[Michie]

Seems like from October till after the year is just packed everywhere. It’s exhausting. I realize people are preparing for the holidays but I get some real anxiety going to the stores the end of the year! Anyone else have this struggle around this time?

 

[timothyu]

Ever notice how shepherds avoid the flock so as not to get trampled. Some are shepherds, most are sheep.

 

[RileyG]

Seems like from October till after the year is just packed everywhere. It’s exhausting. I realize people are preparing for the holidays but I get some real anxiety going to the stores the end of the year! Anyone else have this struggle around this time?

I work in retail, and yes, I agree with you.

 

[timothyu]

Remember the 1st Christmas and how packed the town was, not to mention it was the millennium and everything had been pre-booked for ages,

 

[jacks]

What I don't like is retail stores make the holidays all merge. I was in Costco the other day and it had Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas stuff up all at once. You barely get time to enjoy a holiday anymore; retail just rushes to the next sale. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, it's all about making money.

 

[RileyG]

What I don't like is retail stores make the holidays all merge. I was in Costco the other day and it had Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas stuff up all at once. You barely get time to enjoy a holiday anymore; retail just rushes to the next sale. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, it's all about making money.

That's the same where I work at. Apparently, they only have so much space for storage.

 

[Michie]

What I don't like is retail stores make the holidays all merge. I was in Costco the other day and it had Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas stuff up all at once. You barely get time to enjoy a holiday anymore; retail just rushes to the next sale. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, it's all about making money.

Try to get something you need from the actual holiday you are in the season of… pretty much gone. Same with gardening season. It’s crazy.

 

[timothyu]

How did we allow ourselves to become so dependant?

 

[Michie]

How did we allow ourselves to become so dependant?

I’m making ornaments as we post now. I have a bunch of broken antique stuff from estate sales and I’m upcycling.

 

[timothyu]

I’m making ornaments as we post now. I have a bunch of broken antique stuff from estate sales and I’m upcycling.

As I have become a broken antique myself, the desire to participate has waned considerably. But it was fun while it lasted.

 

[RickardoHolmes]

with the exception of a few toys for local charities, I tend to forgo most of the Materialism of the Christmas Holiday and focus instead on making it into a spiritual experience, using Advent as the preparation for the Mystical Coming of Christ, While I love the beautiful aspects of Christmas, the lights, music decorations of course, it is the SPiritual celebration that drives me now, not the material.

 

[partinobodycular]

Other than a hardware store or a grocery store I haven't been to a store in 20 years. Haven't really noticed any big crowds on Amazon or Walmart.com, so I'm not sure what you people are complaining about. If you don't like crowded stores then don't go to stores.

 

[Michie]

Other than a hardware store or a grocery store I haven't been to a store in 20 years. Haven't really noticed any big crowds on Amazon or Walmart.com, so I'm not sure what you people are complaining about. If you don't like crowded stores then don't go to stores.

I do not use the internet to shop. I have my mother living with us and it’s a daily crapshoot on what is wanted or needed. But thanks for the friendly advice.

 

[YorkieGal]

It actually brings me joy to see stores busy with people celebrating Christmas. I would hate to go in stores and have them empty and devoid of people because Netflix was more important than preparing for a joyous holiday.

 

[Michie]

It actually brings me joy to see stores busy with people celebrating Christmas. I would hate to go in stores and have them empty and devoid of people because Netflix was more important than preparing for a joyous holiday.

It can be too much of a good thing for me at times. I do not mind people are celebrating at all. I do mind feeling trapped inside a store with incredibly long lines, etc.

 

[YorkieGal]

It can be too much of a good thing for me at times. I do not mind people are celebrating at all. I do mind feeling trapped inside a store with incredibly long lines, etc.

Maybe just reframe your point of view - you're not really trapped. You can walk out at any time just like you walked in....

Might be inconvenient, might be annoying after the time you spent etc but these are choices whereas a 'trap' is not by choice.

Sometimes helps to not shop at peak hours, too, e.g. closer to closing time or as early as possible and avoid weekends.

 

[YorkieGal]

It can be too much of a good thing for me at times. I do not mind people are celebrating at all. I do mind feeling trapped inside a store with incredibly long lines, etc.

Also, not trying to dismiss or diminish your point of view with solutions you didn't ask for, so hope you don't take it that way!

These things have helped my mom and mother in law who both revert to stress mode under circumstances where there are more people than they are comfortable with for whatever reason.

Exposure therapy and change in mindset has gone a long way towards helping them manage their emotions so thought I'd share.

Feel free to take on board or dismiss!

 

[Michie]

Thanks for the advice. Fortunately, it’s not debilitating or anything. It’s just exhausting.

 

[timothyu]

I do mind feeling trapped inside a store with incredibly long lines, etc.

The god of consumerism will be disappointed

 

[Michie]

The god of consumerism will be disappointed

Oh well!