A Chronically Ill Christmas
In principle, those with chronic conditions love Christmas
as much as anyone else, but the reality is that it can be anxiety-inducing and
energy-draining. This isn’t just about the panic that descends upon our houses
over a twenty-four hour period. It’s also about the fatigue brought about through
entertaining others, the overwhelming – and growing - number of tasks leading
up to and on the day, the need to create the perfection that is kids’ Christmas,
and the aftermath in the subsequent few days that knocks you off your feet (ha,
who needs wine?).
Let’s be honest. In just over under three weeks, you will have your home
completely turned upside down: enough wrapping paper in which to wrap your home
twice over, the tree that seems to grow in size every time you look at it, the
kids’ high-pitched screams at frequencies only dogs can hear. You cannot even
fathom the number of refuse bags you are going to need to have on stand-by in
order to clean up the mass destruction that was formerly your home. It’s going
to. Be. HELL!
But, fear not, you shall survive! (cue
hero music) Here’s how:
1. Make a list now for
food and drink, with a separate To Do list for everything else. Too many lists
and you'll lose the plot; no lists and you’ll forget the brussel sprouts.
2.
Break down the To Do list - what can you delegate? To whom? Be clear
about what you need and by when (you may want include the impact of baguettes
going missing).
3.
Include the clean-up operation in your To Do list. It’s not over until
that final guest has left and you can grab that last drop of brandy.
4.
Don’t panic by the ever-increasing To Do list – this will be your temporary
best friend and will keep you focussed.
5.
Use your resources - Is there anything that can be supplemented by
others? For example, why buy a crate of wine or slave until 3am on Christmas
Eve making dessert, when you could reach out to guests to ask if each might
bring 'extras'?
6.
Can anything be ordered online and delivered, which might save you time,
pain and effort?
7.
Be realistic - seriously, you're not trying to feed the five thousand:
it's one day out of three hundred and sixty-five. I know, you're a
perfectionist like me, but really think about it: what's your baseline? What do
you really need to happen and what
would you like to happen?
8.
Pace yourself - I know what you're going to say: "Ah, that old
adage, Carla. You're pulling out a cliché!" (sorry, not sorry) All
this pre-planning will help you achieve this.
9.
Measure the input and output of your energy levels – will people really
care that your cranberry sauce is shop bought? If you do forget the brussel
sprouts, will it matter to anyone but you and if it does, will anyone die of
brussel sprout deficiency? Will anything be worth the stress of rushing around
last minute, or the three subsequent days as a zombified former host?
10.
Excuse yourself - if you have to have time out to lie down, then listen
to your body, otherwise your body will rebel. Also - and I hate to break this
to you - but I’m sure your guests will be okay to entertain themselves for an
hour or so.
Now, I’m a realist. I’m in no way saying this is going to be smooth sailing but, with some preparation and some self-challenge, you can make it! (Hero music crescendo) You will survive this!
…And just in case you don’t, you can always take that trip
to Spain…Feliz Navidad, to one and to all!
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