This is the first holiday season I’m spending alone. Well, I did get stuck at college one time, but the stranded all hung out together. I won’t bore you with gory details; I’m just not up for it this year. I’m opting to hang with the cat.
I don’t mean to step on any religion’s toes – you are free to observe, celebrate or whatever. But I won’t be there. Sure, I’ll spend some time with my mother around Christmas, but for the most part, I’ll be doing the “Anti-Holidays.”
So here are some of my Anti-Holiday survival (Stress-Busters and Holiday Survival Guide) plans:
· Watch movies – No, no holiday-themed ones. I’m thinking more like “The Fast and the Furious.” Now, I’m not a gearhead, but I do like nice cars. Plus it’s just so right to make fun of Vin Diesel.
· Food – No turkey-related stuff. I want a pizza or ethnic food.
· Alcohol – in moderation. Possibly.
· Bad attitude – hey, when you aren’t inflicting it on others, who cares?
· Work – if I decide to, I’ll get some work done and feel very righteous about it.
Interestingly, a lot of people who know my plans have responded to the idea and might implement their own holiday rebellion. Perhaps we’ll share our bad attitudes?
I work at home so I don’t have to deal with all the festive stuff at the workplace, the fat-laden foods or the compulsory gift-exchange (How Do You Politely Decline the Workplace Holiday Ritual?). For that I’m grateful. But for those of you who work in an office, you can do your own version of holiday avoidance.
How can you cope with the holiday atmosphere at work?
· Declare that you do not participate in pagan rituals. That should be a conversation-stopper.
· Volunteer to work OT of fill in for someone who wants time off. Think of the brownie points and you might get caught up for a change.
· If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. But promise me you’ll make some bizarro holiday treat – maybe reindeer made out of Twinkies or deep-fried candy canes.
This is a post by Jobacle team member Nancy LaFever.
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