After the festivities are over, how long do you leave your lights up? Where do you take excessive leftovers? How long do you keep your tree up?
For us, we try and keep our tree up until after Ukrainian Christmas. Last year we spent Ukrainian Christmas going to mass at a lavish Ukrainian church, then playing board games and enjoying a nice meal. I would like to make that a tradition.
So our house lights and our tree will hopefully all stay up until January 7th.
With chronic illness, how do we get through the holidays?
Sure this entire time of year can be filled with excitement, family, love, re-connecting with friends, exchanging gifts, and spending time with one another playing games.
This time of year can also be incredibly difficult, filled with grief and loneliness, and a stark reminder of one's finances - especially if they are short.
I think I have been especially fortunate.
That doesn't mean that the days following a big event are ever easy.
Today I have spent the day just with the pup since Rj goes on an annual overnight trip to the mountains. We still had dishes and garbage from presents and loads and LOADS of laundry. Plus putting things away and reorganizing the house.
It doesn't sound like a great deal - but for someone with a finite source of energy, it can be.
Today I managed to slowly get out of bed around 2pm. These days, it takes me about 1 to 2 hours after waking up to be able to physically leave the bed without vomiting, fainting, collapsing, or becoming dizzy from sharp migraine pain.
I had a bit to eat of some leftovers to help increase my energy, practiced yoga for 5 minutes to help ease my joints out of their own stiffness, and then tried to slowly get things organized and cleaned.
I won't do everything.
I physically can't.
I HAVE to wait for RJ to do most things. BUT - I also have to keep the house in order a little bit.
I focused on washing dishes, handwashing a few select garments, and throwing some clothes in the laundry. (Thank goodness Rj pushed for main floor laundry).
All of that has taken me all day to accomplish. That's because I have to accomplish every little task slowly - with several breaks in between.
I cannot express the joy and the excitement and how much I ABSOLUTELY LOVE hosting. Hosting and cooking and baking and organizing and planning and then playing games. I love love love it.
That does not mean that it is easy or without challenges.
But I will take all of these challenges.
It just means that getting moving after the holidays is a slow process.
Now, I will try and finish a second load of laundry, while enjoying a movie and either a cup of hot chocolate or a cup of apple cider. Plus nothing beats puppy cuddles when I am feeling particularly drained. Happy, blissful even, but drained and in pain.