Fall is upon us, I don’t say that based on the calendar but based on the fact that I had to wait for my truck windshield to defrost yesterday. The cold morning air is the beckoning of a cold winter that is coming this year. We are heading to the crazy time of the year where people get silly anyway on top of the insanity that has been 2020.
This fall promises to be extraordinary with the added effects if a presidential election, a Judicial appointment and a more than likely uptick in coronavirus that will be compounded by cold and flu season. Anyone playing apocalypse bingo should be betting big on the coming winter; maybe Game of Thrones was right with its incessant “Winter is Coming” warning.
All that craziness aside we must come back to reality and start thinking about winterizing the house, cars and anything else we need to cover. At least it should hopefully kill all the stupid flies; they have been horrible where I live this year. Time to put away air conditioners and get out windshield scrapers. Dig out your de-icer and rock salt, start figuring out where you stored any extra heaters. Then add a dash of holiday nonsense and you are well on your way.
Seems like this year has lasted forever and flown by all at once.
My children started talking about Halloween in August as Labor Day has little meaning for a 6 and 8-year-old facing starting school. The rest of the year will scream through with all the usual fanfare and hoopla with an extra helping of madness and gnashing of teeth thanks to the extra going on this year.
Are you ready?
Do you have a plan yet?
Let me encourage you to sit down this weekend and make a plan. You see, I am not a holiday person, I have no religious objections or animosity towards the holidays in general. I am actually grateful that so many people are not like me in that respect; I am glad that people look forward to and tend to be better people around the holidays (except shoppers). I am glad that it brings joy to so many people. I buy my children Christmas presents like other people do and enjoy that they enjoy it.
As a dispassionate observer I would like to offer some advice for these coming holidays. People stress out for generally two reasons
1. They do not have solid plans to get through the year, so they are often caught without options when confronted by people or family who want something from you.
2. The financial burden created by the extravagance and gift giving are crushing for families already busting their butts just to survive at their current means.
If you fall into the first category then here is the simple solution for you. Have a plan and put it down on your calendar. Do not just come up with one in your head, put it down on your calendar and commit. It is more real and less flexible if you actually put it on paper (figuratively or maybe you have an actual non digital calendar). No matter if it is just you or a household you are planning for, if you sit down with any other shot callers in your house and commit you can’t get bushwhacked or shanghaied into parties, visits or trips you don’t want to get guilted into. You are not lying to anyone if you already have actual plans, so make sure you are ready for the silliness. You will also have a clear view of what you can give up if you so choose. Also, your co-workers do appreciate it if any time off requests are already done so they can plan and coordinate themselves.
If you fall into category 2, like a lot of us, then now is the time (if you have not already) to lock things in. EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE is in a harder place financially this year. With the coronavirus crisis businesses, livelihoods, jobs, homes and so much more have been lost this year. It should not be hard to discuss with relevant people having some restrictions on “gift giving” and other holiday traditions. Chances are you will have to reduce or totally abandon some holiday travel this year and this very well might be the year to focus on just prioritizing meaningful interactions with loved ones. Make simple gifts or cards. Cut the gifts down to just children in the family or draw names. Make a plan and stick to it, don’t let anyone bully you into something you can’t afford this year. Coronavirus has taken enough of our lives without letting it make you more unhappy during the holidays.
Make a plan and stick with it. Your fall and winter will be better.
Wishing you all the best,
The Fallible Man
Be better tomorrow because of what you do today!