I WOULD ALWAYS see kids going outside their houses, bringing their DIY instruments, and caroling in front of our houses. This sparked a thought in me – the holidays are near. Do you ever feel like the older you get, the harder it is to find the energy to enjoy the holiday season? I know I do. As a kid, I couldn’t wait to sit at home with my family, open presents, and feast on delicious food. But now, with each passing year, it feels like it takes more and more effort to get into the holiday spirit. In times like these, I find myself envying the boundless energy and excitement of kids.
I still remember the good old days when we put up Christmas decorations at the start of December. After attending school Christmas parties, I would rush back home to open my presents. My family and I would go to different places the following day and have a great time. On Christmas Eve, our relatives loved to visit our house because it was decorated beautifully. We would sing along to our favorite karaoke songs, enjoy the delicious food, and exchange gifts. Man, those were the good days!
“But now, with each passing year, it feels like it takes more and more effort to get into the holiday spirit. In times like these, I find myself envying the boundless energy and excitement of kids.”
Christmas also gave me the time when I would tick off many things from my “Holiday Bucket List”; some of them are things I would buy for myself every holiday. Technically, I’m still doing this tradition. But now, I would only prioritize one or two items, and then I’m satisfied. Maybe it’s because I’m already a young adult who will soon be a taxpayer.
Now, as a college student, Christmas is just a pastime for me to take a deep breath and rest just for the sake of not thinking of my final grade. After Christmas and New Year, we are all back to our regular life. The thought of having free time to rest is overshadowed by anxieties about my final grade and what’s to come in the second semester.
The excitement of booking a flight to a particular place this holiday season differs from before. During the start of the break, we would prepare and buy outfits suitable for the vacation and have a to-do list of things to bring and places to visit. Still, as time passed, we would just think that we should go to that place and think about the other landmarks to visit later on – which sometimes takes a lot of time from your vacation. The excitement of the holiday season is still present, but after attending numerous events leading up to Christmas, one may feel too exhausted to consider other plans for the break.
The holiday seasons are supposed to be filled with happiness and excitement. However, for some of us, it can be a time of stress and anxiety, especially when it comes to family reunions. This is mainly because when we meet our relatives after a long time, we must prove ourselves and show that we have made progress. Unfortunately, some relatives tend to bring up hot-button issues that can quickly escalate into an argument or create an uncomfortable silence in the room. It can be challenging to deal with “nosy” aunts or uncles who point out our insecurities and make us feel vulnerable. They might ask us personal questions that we are not comfortable answering, or they might bring up our past mistakes, which can be dreadful.
During the holiday season, we often feel overwhelmed by the tasks and expectations that come with it. From meeting deadlines to trying to make everything perfect, it’s no wonder we feel exhausted by the end. In the past, we used to enjoy preparing for the holidays and eagerly awaited the countdown to the new year. However, now we’re waiting for the countdown to end so we can start the same cycle all over again. My only wish for the future holiday season is to be prepared for gift-giving and find the fuel to appreciate it.
Email me at thebedan_fcreditor@sanbeda.edu.ph