It’s finally the most wonderful time of the year! Baking cookies, wrapping and unwrapping presents, spending time with the people you love, and more. Some of you may be thinking, “Why are we putting up the holiday tree? It’s still early!” I get it, you feel like people should only celebrate seasonal holidays as they get closer/on the actual holiday. I need you to get over that mindset and here’s why.
Many of us have been going through some of the worst years of our lives. The pandemic took so much from us; we went months without seeing each other and couldn’t go to our favorite places like concert venues and amusement parks. We saw the severity of police brutality, saw the climate change and severe natural disasters, among other important issues being questioned and questioning leadership. We as a society experienced one tragedy after another. So, if people want to put the decorations up in November, LET THEM! We all could use some cheer after the (almost) two years we’ve had.
Also, in today’s day and age, social media has caused so many more arguments because people are not having to see each other face to face. It has also caused some people to be extremely judgmental and lash out on others. This includes being mean about other people’s interests. If someone likes something and it isn’t harming anyone else, let people enjoy things. This includes letting people enjoy the holidays early.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I know the holidays can be a hard time for some people. People come from toxic families and don’t like seeing them, we’ve lost family members who have passed away, maybe you don’t have enough money to go home for the holidays and see everyone. I get that the holidays can be a hard time and I hope if you struggle around the holidays that you start having some good ones. But, being mean to people who enjoy the holiday season and want to celebrate early will not make your holiday season better, it will just make you more miserable.
So, for this holiday season, I ask that you all take a memo from Harry Styles and treat people with kindness. If someone wishes you a happy holidays, wish them a happy holidays back. If a friend invites you to come decorate and eat cookies, you may have fun, go spend time with them. If you can’t spend the holiday with the ones you love, give them a call, have some comfort food, and watch a holiday movie or just your favorite TV show. Life is short, we should all do what makes us happy as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else.