We sort of skipped Christmas this year. And I’ll be skipping New Year’s Resolutions too!
With grown “kids” and no grandchildren (yet!), we pared Christmas down to only the most meaningful celebrations. We hosted a casual holiday potluck and attended a couple of parties with friends and family. We opted out of the time-consuming decorating of our giant tree with all of our keepsake ornaments (mainly because I dislike taking it all down again!). But I had fun decorating our little trees in a new safari theme to celebrate our trip to Tanzania.
When my kids got to town, we did some holiday baking and a family game night. In lieu of physical gifts (who needs more stuff?), we are exchanging experiences – mostly excursions to local restaurants and holiday pop-up bars for lots of togetherness while everyone’s in town.
For our extended family celebrations will center around great food. I bought a few things for my parents and our dog Keena, and wrapped some gently-used items for a White Reindeer Gift Exchange.
Holiday Hype
Our lack of participation in the shopping frenzy didn’t stop the onslaught of advertising and “news” coverage about the latest toys, the newest electronics, and the hottest gifts. It made me again acutely aware of how commercialized the holidays have become. Everyone with something to sell was harking their wares and hyping us up to get us to buy.
I noticed that I sometimes leafed through the ads in the paper and watched the commercials anyway, stirring up feelings that I can only describe as cravings. I caught myself wondering if I was missing out and if I should just buy a few things anyway. Years of conditioning didn’t dissolve in one season.
I was pleasantly surprised to realize that I didn’t experience the let-down I usually feel the day after Christmas. There was no big mess to clean up, no gifts to absorb into an already full closet, no trips back to the mall to exchange unwanted items.
New Year’s Resolution Hype
As soon as the holiday hype was over, the New Year’s Resolution onslaught of advertising and “news” coverage began… the latest fad, the newest diet, the hottest fitness trends, and of course, weight loss injections.
I am also acutely aware of how commercialized New Year’s Resolutions have become. Everyone with something to sell is harking their wares and hyping us up to get us to buy health and happiness.
Despite years of conditioning, I noticed I no longer feel compelled to participate. The hype over New Year’s Resolutions no longer drives me to set weight loss goals or start another diet. I don’t get caught up in the big lies that try to convince me that my happiness and health depend on following someone’s plan to a T. Instead, I just breathe (and sometimes roll my eyes).
I also know that I won’t experience the inevitable let-down that followed every diet. No guilt, no bingeing, no promises to start over on Monday.
Skipping New Year’s Resolutions and Christmas has fundamentally changed the way I think and feel about the holidays, just as mindful eating has fundamentally changed the way I think about eating and self-care.
I’ll still set New Year’s intentions, but only meaningful ones. I want to learn something new, improve my relationships, finish my next book, and plan another trip. These are the things that bring me true health and happiness!
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