Do you have problems buying during this time? I do. All of the things that I slightly crave during the year are suddenly on sale and suddenly in front of my social media eyes on the daily. Its so easy just to click. I find it hard to not compulsively buy things. And because there is a massive buy on the part of the kids, and i don’t have presents under the tree unless my siblings and mother are here, sometimes i think i am ‘owed’.
the combo can be problematic. SAVINGS! CRAVINGS! RESENTMENT! DESERVING! THERAPY!!MAKE ME FEEL GOOD WITH THE SHINY THING!LETS CHANGE EVERYTHING WITH A NEW SWEATER!!
This year I am countering the impulse with the knowledge that many of my friends and neighbors are actually suffering. Marriages are strained and worse, jobs are scarce and there are kids that will not have what they need this year for food, forget presents. So I gave a part of my ‘covid’ payment to the Woman’s Shelter and I’ve given more to foster families, and mentorship programs, and veteran’s coat drives and the food banks and all these little bits are better than feeling pinched because my kid has another pair of leggings.
I don’t think its enough, and I hope its helped a little. If you are not dead, you know where to give your money, if you have it.
Please do that.
The whole present thing is so difficult. We’re broke so ok , we’re not usually big present buying family, but Helen is experiencing Christmas for the first time with her depression pretty much under control. She wants presents. Not expensive things, really reasonable, cheap e en, but wrapped and piled under the tree. She wants carols, special foods, spiked eggnog. And I am only too aware that we have food, a relatively warm house, and two cats that run. So there’s that. I myself am undergoing some sort of spiritual change and tangible traditional Christmas presents are the last thing on my mind. I’m also out straight with Auntie Oel
Special orders. Confusion with an underlying feeling of angst is my constant companion. To use a biblical term, I have a troubled mind. I’m grateful to have you as a fellow seeker