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’Tis the Season
For overwhelm
Here it is, four days from Christmas Eve, and for the third year in a row, I do not have my tree out, or any decorations up. Crap, I think this actually may be the fourth year? Yes, I think it is. The last year I got Christmas stuff up was probably 2020. In 2021, I was in the midst of an awful custody battle. I was so depleted and in a horrible mental state. I also didn’t have a paycheck in December because the last class I taught that year ended in November, and I didn’t have another one starting until mid-January. I was not feeling Christmas. I drew a Christmas tree on a big piece of paper and wrapped their presents in sets of three white boxes with hats and scarves to look like snowmen.
The next year, 2022, I also had a class that ended in November without another one lined up until mid-January. My Subaru needed an oil change. It was also having issues, and the warranty was ending soon. I had been reading a popular newsletter that did a thing called mutual aid, where people who needed money could sign up, and people who had a little extra could donate. I got accepted as a recipient and was giddy af! I asked for $500. $100 for my oil change and inspection and $100 for each kid for Christmas gifts. I was going to get the tree out and decorated. I was feeling a bit of relief about Christmas. I also had a litter of puppies that were due to be weaned the week before…
