Christmas is generally celebrated as the most magical time of year, but for those of us with ADHD it can quickly get extremely overwhelming.
Firstly let’s talk about Christmas shopping for presents. Don’t get me wrong almost everyone I know finds this experience stressful but for us ADHDers it can quickly become unmanageable. We are usually looking for that perfect gift for the people we care about and because we are so fiercely loyal and determined, we don’t want to give up till we’ve found it. Combine that with the added pressure of feeling like you’ve got to do everything in the space of only a few hours or you’ve failed and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
I try my best to help myself; I really do. I make a list, I try to go on quieter days, I use Amazon prime, but just an hour or so in and I’m having what feels like the worlds biggest meltdown surrounded by a sea of people who are pushing me out the way in a made rush to get their presents too.
“I’d love my house to look like a Christmas Hallmark movie, but sadly it never meets that expectation.”
~ADHD Girl
Ok, putting the presents aside for a moment. What about decorating? In theory it sounds all lovely and fun doesn’t it? You put a few Christmas songs on, take your time and hey presto your house looks like something out of a hallmark Christmas movie. Except that’s never really the case is it?
It starts off when we’re getting the Christmas decorations out. We didn’t put them away in any sort of order or write labels on the boxes so we start stressing when we can’t find the ones we won’t to start with first.
Ok, so we’ve found most of the Christmas decorations now it’s time to start putting them up and hoping the best. However, I don’t know about you but when I’m finished it never looks how I imagined it to be. Maybe my expectations are too high?
“You wait ages to feel festive and then there is the preasure to feel happy the whole holiday season.”
~ADHD Girl
Speaking of expectations, what about the pressure that is feeling like Christmas is the most magical time of year?? You’re not allowed to feel grumpy at Christmas! Not got one single second or someone will tell you that you need to make more of an effort. The truth is Christmas is emotionally exhausted but can still bring treasured moments of joy, especially if you have children.
Anyone been waiting and waiting to feel festive this year? We’re all just waiting around for Christmas to begin and wondering why it isn’t happening for us. Of course, the dreaded covid might have something to do with that, but it’s hard to feel Christmasy amounts so much stress at getting things right.
Ultimately, Christmas is overwhelming for thousands if not millions of people, but it may be even more so for those of us with ADHD due to our ability to think of so many different things/ worries at once.
Don’t misunderstand me, when the 25th December comes along I’ll be chirpy and smiling like everyone else but until then it’s ARGHHHH HUMBUG from me.
To all of you who take the time to read and support my blog; I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas. Stay safe and best wishes for 2022.
~ADHD Girl
