Christmas and Menopause. These two things should not coexist in space and time. Each is overwhelming to midlife goddesses by itself. Together, they can bring us to our creaking knees.
This year, I vowed to myself, would be different. I’d be organized, but not anal-retentive. I’d go easy on the shopping (at first, I was going to make presents all year long – a goal jettisoned around Dec. 1 due to lack of inventory and initiative.) Most of all, I would relax into the Christmas spirit and ENJOY it without getting harried and hurried.
Long story short: didn’t work. Baking went poorly with hot flashes competing with the oven for the high HEAT setting. Christmas letter hasn’t been sent because it has not been written. The little shopping I succumbed to was crazy as ever. Feeling of peace on Earth, goodwill to men? Right now, harder to hold onto than a greased mongoose.
I firmly believe that every menopausal women should have her very own contingent of elves to help her through the Christmas season. We need cookie baking elves, shopping elves, wrapping and decorating elves, and a couple elves just to fan us through this most hectic of holidays. (A blogging elf would be nice, too. As long as we’re dreaming.)
So I’m calling a halt to the frenzy. Seriously! No more faux Martha Stewart. I can BUY cookies if I really want them. I can write a Valentine’s Day letter this year. (Procrastination is a practical modality for menopausal women. Just let it go long enough and maybe it won’t have to be done.) Ix-nay on more shopping or wrapping. Likewise decorating: the tree’s upright and good enough. I’m going to put Slack Key Christmas Carols on the stereo, grab a cup of eggnog, and dive into a good book. Maybe I can celebrate this way for the next ten days. Maybe all menopausal goddesses could do the same. A season without sacrificing ourselves. That would truly be a Christmas miracle.
Happy Holidays to you too! Since calling a halt to the craziness, I have enjoyed the holidays more than anytime I can remember. (Of course,that's not saying much these days.)
I to came to the same decision. I need to enjoy the holidays. No longer is this a luxury for the rest of the family while I ran around with my head cut off. Of course this revelation did not come to me until I spent the two days baking everything that is on my family's wish list. Guess what I still have platters of cookies and fudge, seems everyone wants me to bake but no one is wolfing the sweets down. I am determine it won't be me eating up the sweets just so I don't have to throw them away. Anyway I hosted my husband family for Chirstmas last night and for the first time ever I let everyone bring what they wanted. To my surprise no one went home hungry and yes we did not have a balance meal but we had a good time talking and enjoying catching up on the past year. Have a Merry Christmas and lets try to promise ourselves with the new year that we will take the time to do the things we want to do for ourselves.
Thank you. I think–beginning today– I will not sacrifice myself anymore this Christmas season.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.