ctt, 7 months ago

deleted_by_author

andycarolan, 7 months ago

@ctt Sorry to hear that. It is wayyyyyy too commercialised... as it everything now of course.

I mean, I still partake because of my son, but other than that, I would happily avoid it.

alexandra, 7 months ago

deleted_by_author

andycarolan, 7 months ago

@alexandra Where do I sign up?

alexandra, 7 months ago

deleted_by_author

mihobu, 7 months ago

@alexandra @andycarolan I feel like this is something we should talk through. When will we all be in the same country at the same time?

alexandra, 7 months ago

deleted_by_author

andycarolan, 7 months ago

@alexandra Meet halfway... in like Greenland maybe lol @mihobu

alexandra, 7 months ago

deleted_by_author

andycarolan, 7 months ago

@alexandra

“Greenland?” — Yes

"Are you nuts” — Yes... how is this even a question any more? 😜

"Do you know how BIG the mosquitoes are in Greenland???” — No

🤣

@mihobu

alexandra, 7 months ago

deleted_by_author

andycarolan, 7 months ago

@alexandra Hahaha @mihobu

mihobu, 7 months ago

@alexandra @andycarolan Isn’t Greenland about to slide into the sea or some such thing?

starshaped, 7 months ago

@andycarolan I struggle a LOT with the expectations that arise around the holidays. It's such a hard time so I feel you!

andycarolan, 7 months ago

@starshaped It is a difficult time for sure! Stay safe out there :)

starshaped, 7 months ago

@andycarolan I have the added 'fun' of Christmas Day also being my birthday, so that's brought up a lot of things over the years too!

andycarolan, 7 months ago

@starshaped Oh wow, yes... that would change things up somewhat!

czottmann, 7 months ago

@andycarolan At this point it's just a flat-out profiteering shitshow, the “invisible hand of the free market” punched it to death a long time ago, so opting out is a valid thing to do. My wife and I started doing that years back. The folks I love know that I do because I try to show them year round, so there's no need for "special holiday!!!1” gifting.

You do not have to participate. It's okay not to participate. My 2c.

andycarolan, 7 months ago

@czottmann It's not just the festivities really, but that is definitely a consideration.

I have to take part to a degree for my son, and that part is nice. Everything else, just isn't

czottmann, 7 months ago

@andycarolan I feel you. 😐

mihobu, 7 months ago

@andycarolan I don’t think it’s wrong. I imagine a lot of people (including me) have holidays they don’t enjoy and just want to get past.

KeefJudge, 7 months ago

@andycarolan I'm not a fan either - arguing with the ex about who has the kids on which days, tons of driving to visit my mum, etc.

It's certainly a lot more hassle than it was in my younger years.

andycarolan, 7 months ago

@KeefJudge Yup, I imagine that must make things worse.

sarajw, 7 months ago

@andycarolan No. It's an actively difficult time for tons of people.

andypiper, 7 months ago

@sarajw @andycarolan absolutely. We’re going away for the week again this year - doesn’t mean the event itself doesn’t happen, but it helps us process things a bit more to change the scenery and detach.

andycarolan, 7 months ago

@andypiper Sounds like a good option. I've not had a holiday/break in 7 years... that might be where part of the problem comes from tbh haha @sarajw

andycarolan, 7 months ago

@sarajw I just hate it for various reasons. The past 3 years or so have been incredibly tough, and each year I hope for some improvement... reflecting upon the past 12 months each December doesn't help lol