Christmas for Me

This year, I won't be spending Christmas like most families do. Even the term "normal" for the majority of families baffles me.

In fact, I spend Christmas like every other day. This year, I don't have to do anything for anyone or any organization, which is very refreshing, yes. It was my first in probably ten years of working in this field.

A part of me is very curious, and I'm wondering if I should go to Costco on Christmas Eve just to feel like I'm a part of the festivities and soak up the holiday spirit of other people. Is this what it's like to get older and more lonely?

Then there is the gamble of general wellbeing probabilities… Costco? Swarmed region? Should I go with a mask on? It's getting really hot in Australia, so I don't want to do that. However, the Covid numbers are rising again, so maybe I should be a little more cautious. Then I think, "Too hard," and I think, "Let's just lay low while the rest of the world does their shopping."

My fridge has plenty of food. I've had food delivered to me. I've even made a brief excursion to Coles to purchase additional refills. I would only be there out of curiosity, so I don't need to go to Costco right now.

Why not take some time to spend in nature? It's too ridiculous hot in Australia - Gold Coast, to be accurate. I won't be going to the beach, no. During the cooler months, I do walk my dog around the neighborhood, but I don't go hiking or anything like that.

I have a brownie cake mix, and I planned to bake it just for fun—Christmas is coming up, so why not? Are these brownies being consumed by only me? Yes, you can.

I can't share it with my dog, but I do enjoy Michelle Obama's most recent book—yes, she seems like a better friend than most people I know in real life—no one else can offer such thoughtful insights or have lived as interesting lives, and Tik Tok is the weirdest addiction. I'm still trying to strike a balance between indulgence and contributing in a healthy way to that platform.

I'm reflecting on my priorities and goals for the new year after all this alone time. What else do I wish to see come true? to reach?

We barely have the energy to reach... I want to navigate something both exciting and steady. In order for my talents to flourish, excel, and resonate with audiences who are meant to resonate with it, I want to have real, genuine, and sustainable cash flow.

I don't mind working part-time, no matter what other corporate position I might have next year? Having said that, I'd be grateful if all of my loved ones remained healthy, safe, and generally happy. I'd love to live in a little bit more luxury, have a little bit more decor around me, and bask in a little bit more of an abundance flow.

I'm not prepared for a family member's sudden illness. My heart is worn out from anticipating the sudden loss of a friend, an accident, or any other career setbacks. I require a year of genuine appreciation, healthy optimism, and hope.

I'm not sure if it's just my family and I. This Christmas, we are all over the place—some of us have only recently contracted Covid—but it doesn't really matter, because it never really did. We are not religious, and there are no enduring family customs at this time. Yes, we had planned to have a family lunch, but it has now all been scrapped!)

Pre-Pandemic, we usually use this time to travel, see other parts of the world, hang out in places that don't care as much about Christmas, or take on more shifts that nobody wants to do in order to get a little bit more pay at this time—it gives us the feeling of an immigrant family.

I am truly relieved that it is Christmas week. It is refreshing to have alone time during this time of year in a Western nation; I am not required to demonstrate my calm and peace on social media.

I relish my time alone most of the time. I truly enjoy being in a peaceful house.

I'm writing this so that others can be aware that spending Christmas alone can be quite energizing.