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It’s Beginning To Feel A Lot Like Christmas

It's Beginning To Feel A Lot Like Christmas

Sheryl from A Chronic Voice, as well as sharing her own stories and lessons with chronic illness.  Sheryl is an excellent support to other bloggers and writers living with illness and chronic pain.  One such way is through monthly link-up parties whereby bloggers and writers share their stories through given prompts.  I’ve decided to take part in this month’s Link Up Party, using the prompts to describe the run-up to Christmas from the viewpoint of someone living with a neurological condition. 

De-Stressing 

De-stressing: Verb.  To become or cause to become less stressed or anxious

The holiday season is among us.  A time for celebration, rejoicing spending time with loved ones, and giving and receiving with those who matter. 

However, the season, for many is also a time of stress and anxiety.   

The worry of finding the perfect present for our near and dear.  The growing list of tasks to prepare for the big day as well as the fatigue from this season’s various obligations.

Chronic illness presents numerous limitations that can challenge our ability to enjoy and participate in the season’s festivities.  It is therefore vital to find ways to de-stress to help us survive and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. 

Chronic Illness presents numerous limitations that can challenge our abilities to enjoy and participate in the season's festivities. Click To Tweet
the advantages of online shopping for destressing during Christmas preparations
Who wants to be laden down with lots of heavy shopping bags when we can take advantage of online shopping.  For those with chronic conditions it makes life much easier as it doesn’t affect our already limited mobility 

For me, one way I have been doing this is taking advantage of online shopping.  Recently I have been struggling with my mobility, and the thought of traipsing around shops searching for that perfect gift fills me with dread.  So, my Christmas shopping adventure has been virtual, taking advantage of online offers and discounts.  And all done in the comfort of my own home, wearing comfortable pyjamas and without the worry of falling over! 

As much as Christmas is a season about giving to others, it is also essential to ensure we take time for ourselves as well.  To seek time for self-care and those practices that provide enjoyment and the chance to unwind from the stress.

It's Beginning To Feel A Lot Like Christmas

To de-stress it’s important to be fulfilled with the festivities that we can enjoy. Instead of being disappointed in the fun and games, we cannot take part in during this season of merriment. 

Savouring 

Savouring: Verb.  To enjoy food or an experience slowly, in order to enjoy it as much as possible 

In the mornings, dark, dreary and very often extremely wet weather greets me as I look outside my window.  Everything seems dreadful and depressing.  Unfortunately, my mobility limits my ability to go out regularly, and particularly at night when my balance worsens.  Therefore, when I do have a rare opportunity to venture out at night, I savour taking delight in observing the beautiful Christmas lights and vibrant decorations that adorn shops and houses.  The twinkling lights and festive decorations are a welcome distraction and look cheery against the dark and bleak Winter nights. 

Twinkling lights and beautiful festive decorations are a welcome distraction and look cheery against the dark and bleak Winter nights. Click To Tweet
One of my favourite aspects of the lead-up to Christmas is witnessing the beautiful lights and displays which look so beautiful while juxtaposed with the dark and dreary Winter nights
One of my favourite aspects of the lead-up to Christmas is witnessing the beautiful lights and displays which look so beautiful while juxtaposed with the dark and dreary Winter nights

I will also savour the opportunities for spending time with close family and friends, especially those who I am unable to spend much time with during the rest of the year because of a lack of time or the great distance between us.  To savour the time spent with those who appreciate my company and who makes me comfortable to be myself.  Those who see me as a person, and not merely as a sick person. 

One of the things I love most about Christmas is that there is so much to savour during the season.  The joviality, the delicious and inviting food of which is plenty and the many moments of spent with loved ones which are more prevalent than any other time of the year. 

Simplifying 

Simplifying: Verb.  To make something less complicated and therefore easier to do or understand

As previously mentioned, this year I am simplifying my Christmas preparations and taking advantage of online shopping.  For someone with limited mobility and suffering from intense fatigue, it makes it easier to search and buy that perfect gift for that special someone.  Very often, it allows the opportunity to send the gift directly to the participant, simplifying the giving process for those who are housebound or cannot stand in the long queues at the Post Office. 

The decorating of the house has also become simplified since my symptoms have worsened.  Instead of the long process of assembling the artificial tree, and adorning the tree with tinsel, twinkling lights and festive decorations, we have since invested in a fibre optic tree.  This takes the time out of decorating and therefore lessens the fatigue that it usually leaves in its wake. 

Resting 

Resting: Verb.  To stop doing an activity or stop being active for a period of time in order to relax and get back your strength 

With so much to do and preparations to organise before Christmas Day arrives, rest is vital for recuperating. 

When living with a chronic illness, we often do this by pacing for and during each activity.   For example, if I am going out, I limit the amount of activity I do beforehand to ensure I have enough energy in my limited supply to do everything that I need to do.  And when I am out, I am careful to limit the amount of the time that I am out and also to consider the amount of energy I am exhausting. 

Resting activities needn’t be boring.  When out and feel my legs becoming fatigued and shaky, I have been enjoying much-needed rest spent in warm and cosy coffee shops enjoying the latest book I have on the go.  It also provides the perfect excuse to wrap up with a snug blanket in front of a cheesy Christmas film.  Or indulging with a favourite Christmas classic.  Miracle on 34th Street anyone? 

Finalising 

Finalising: Verb.  To make a final and certain decision about a plan, date, etc

At the moment I am finalising the last of the presents I have to buy.  One last gift for my Dad.  I like to ensure that I spend the same amount on both my parents.   They both equally do so much to take care of me, that I  make sure that I don’t favour one person over the other.  And so far, I have spent more on Mum so need to find one more for my wonderful Dad.  But that’s the question.  What do you buy a man who has everything?  So if anyone has any suggestions, let me know! 

Due to the many obstacles that symptoms create, I tend not to make plans as they often inevitably ends with disappointment when they don’t materialise.  Especially as of late when my symptoms have been particularly severe.  So perhaps I need to finalise plans for the new year on how to emotionally deal with these setbacks. And to get into a better place in regards to my health.  

Maybe we all need to learn to simplify, rest, savour and de-stress for the whole year round instead of focusing on these during the most special times of the year, such as Christmas. 

We need to learn to simplify, rest, savour and de-stress the whole year round instead for just during Christmas Click To Tweet

I have no idea what this Christmas will entail, but I hope it is a happy one.  And I hope the same for you all too. 

  • Sheryl

    Thanks for joining us this month in the linkup, Serene! Yes it’s so important this season especially to keep being mindful of our energy levels, and to pace ourselves accordingly. It can easily go out of hand! I too love all the colourful lights and cheer that this season brings, it’s so comforting 🙂 Sending you good thoughts and have a Merry Christmas!

    December 9, 2018 at 3:58 am Reply
  • Kate

    Hi Rhiann. Totally agree that it is a good idea to simplify, savour, de-stress and rest the whole year round. It’s funny how the end of the year seems to bring things more into focus in a way.
    I’m glad you have your online shopping nearly done and hope you’ve found something nice for your dad. Dads are (in my opinion) difficult to buy for. I resorted to marmalade and mustard (not in the same pot and I assume my dad doesn’t eat them at the same time either!)
    Have a lovely, restful and very merry Christmas. xx

    December 10, 2018 at 3:30 pm Reply
  • Kathy

    I loved reading your prompt answers. Maybe your dad would like an experience gift, like tickets to his favorite sport or place? Magazine or newspaper subscription? I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

    December 17, 2018 at 7:21 pm Reply
  • Carrie Kellenberger

    Hi Rhiann! We’ve been following each other on Twitter for some time now, but I’ve only had a chance to visit your blog once or twice in the past year. I was glad to see that you joined A Chronic Voice’s link up party for December, and will be sure to stop by more often now that I’ve had a look around your site.

    I really enjoyed this post. So many parts of your life seem similar to mine. Wishing you all the best for 2019.

    Did you like A Spark of Light? I love Jodi Picoult.

    December 30, 2018 at 7:40 am Reply

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