I want to be alone on Christmas

[TimeChaser]

The holiday has officially lost it's charm to me. I'm not Christian, I've never been, but we always visit the Christian side of my family. Within the past few years, though, seeing everyone get so excited and worked up over Christmas just makes me feel... I don't know, isolated.

Plus, I can feel my anxiety already kicking in. Small rooms packed with people sets me off.

[XemaSab]

1. As a non-Christian

can you enjoy the holiday in a secular manner?

My family is Christian, but for me it has nothing to do with Jesus. It's more like Thanksgiving with presents. :shrug:

[TimeChaser]

5. That's how it was when I was younger.

But as I got older, it just became less and less of a big deal. I kinda of get the feeling we only celebrated it at all for the sake of the half of the family that does. Even so I don't have any important memories associated with it, but it's obvious that for some members of the family it does. So, I feel kind of isolated watching everyone around me.

[XemaSab]

7. That's tough

:pals:

[CreekDog]

13. It becomes less and less of a big deal when someone is a Christian

Not sure I can explain that one.

Sorry you are not looking forward to the get together. Hope your day is okay anyway.

[Skittles]

2. well then, be alone

that's what I do - no one should make you do anything else

[enigmatic]

3. That's how I've spent most of my Christmases

And I loved it; do what you want to do, and don't let anyone guilt trip you over your choice :hug:

[TimeChaser]

6. If I was on my own, I'd find some sort of excuse.

But I'm 22, in college and at home for break. I'd get dragged along no matter what I say.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear TimeChaser...

Do what you feel like doing, sweetie...

Don't let anyone dictate to you...

Even me!

Here's to your happiness! :toast:



:hug:

[emilyg]

8. What's stopping you?

[TimeChaser]

10. I'm a 22 year old college student,

living at home over break. I don't get much of a say in this.

[emilyg]

11. I understand.

Do the best you can - it's only a few hours. Hug.

[InvisibleTouch]

9. I prefer holidays alone, myself.

And it's not a grinchy-grumbly cynicism, for my part - I just genuinely enjoy the chance to reflect in solitude. Getting together with family invariably leads to tension and argument, and who needs that? I'm not a Christian either, but I love the lights and decorations, candles, pleasant memories, the feeling of peace and stillness, the brief illusion of a perfect world. Other people generally intrude upon one's illusions. So close your door, shut the rest of the world out, and enjoy without guilt!

[jobycom]

12. Not me. I look for any excuse to mooch free grub from people.

I've been an atheist most of my life, and barely remember Christmas is supposed to have any religious sentiment to it. I tell my kids about baby Jesus and Santa Claus and the Grinch and Jack the Pumpkin King with equal relish, and then on Super Bowl Sunday I tell them about Troy Aikman and Brett Favre and the Mannings. I love a good story, and so I tell the stories with the messages I want, and never even worry about whether they are true or false or mythical beyond all questions of literal veracity. Tis the season to be jolly. Religion is so far out of my life I just find it odd when someone is affected by it, positively or negatively. I don't judge them one way or the other on it. It's just odd to me.

But that's me and my life, and my family deals with it they way they do. Yours sounds quite different, so do what makes you feel right. Nothing worse than feeling judged and isolated by family, since they are the ones who are supposed to do the opposite. Hang out here on Christmas, and you won't be alone, I'm sure.