Stressed for the Holidays

By Jenni Hammitt

November 17, 2008

My mom called me last Friday and uttered the words that strike fear into my heart every November and it stays there until New Years “So what are you doing about Thanksgiving?” Next come the questions, “Why do you have to work so late on Wednesday?” “So you want to have dinner here or in Woodville?” “Are you sure you don’t mind missing out on going to the PI with your friends?” “How long are you staying?” Of course I have no “good” answers for these.

I have to work that late because the college is open and we need the coverage. If I want time off at Christmas, I have to sacrifice. Yes, I would rather only have to drive three hours as opposed to four to Woodville. No, I don’t mind skipping out on seeing my classmates get drunk. Not to mention by the time I got off work, went home, and then drove to Woodville, it would be at least midnight and I would be exhausted. I have no idea how long I’m staying. I need to talk to my other boss to determine when he needs me to be back.

This time of year always brings a certain amount of stress. In my case it isn’t a financial crisis as much as it is a time crisis. The holidays always put me on edge because it is the time of year where I have to juggle my family and my real life and it usually isn’t pretty. I think it is an issue with many people, and it is a common affliction amongst people who have moved away from home, have children or are in a relationship. We have a limited amount of time, and we are being ripped in many directions.

I know some people look at me and they just think “well there is one of her, she has no children and she lives three hours from her parents…so what” and admittedly, it does look like it I have it pretty easy . However, looks can be deceiving. Of course it is preferred that I drive home on Wednesday night, but as I said before I work until 7. I can’t just leave from work because I have 5 birds my parents want to see. That means I have o drive home, load them up and then leave. I work two other jobs. One is from home, but the other is a DJ job at night. I know he *wants* me to be back for the Friday night show, but I’ll probably stay until Saturday. At least this year there is no significant other involved to have to play the are we doing Thanksgiving together…if so where game with. Even before Thanksgiving is over, the Christmas questions will start. The getting there by Christmas Eve services isn’t an issue, but the how long will I stay question will be the heavy hitter.

Of course, you want to see your family (well in most cases), and you really do not want to hurt anybodys feelings. Still trying to juggle your time around the holidays can be maddening. Yes it is the holidays and you want to work to make everyone happy, but how is that fair if you are miserable the whole time. It isn’t just your family either. What do you say when your full time employer wants to have a Holiday party downtown until 8:00, but you have to be at your other job on the other side of town at 9:00. Oh and don’t forget about your poor dog Spot who really needs left out before you go to your second job. Common sense says just go to the work party and then leave a little early. In many cases, this will solve it. Yes, it might be a tight, but can be workable. It might not be ideal, but if you make a little sacrifice and ENJOY yourself at the party while you can, it is worth it.

That is how most of the time crunch things work. You do things you don’t like, work to compromise with your friends and family, enjoy the time with your loved ones and friends, and keep positive. When you clash with your mom about only being home for a day because you have to drive another 8 hours to your fiancé’s grandmother’s house, don’t flip out. Stay calm and take the emotion out of the argument when you state your case. Yes there will be chaos and I can’t promise that it will be drama free, but keep focused on the happy things and you will be much better for it.

View Comments for “Stressed for the Holidays”

Lisa Pawlowski says:
November 17, 2008 at 9:44 am

Sing it, sister, I can relate. We live in Texas and have relatives in Indiana and Phoenix. The holidays, needless to say, aren’t stress-free.

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