I hate this time of year.

That may sound harsh, but it’s true. And the more “jolly holly Christmas-y” everyone around me gets, the more I hate it. I don’t like the way that people spend so much money (more than they can afford). I don’t like the extreme commercialism or consumerism that is so evident. I don’t like the added stress of having to think of and plan for what to buy people. I find no joy in setting up the Christmas tree and other holiday decorations. I really dislike the stress and anxiety of doing any shopping at this time of year, along with a bazillion other people, fighting over parking spaces.

I find this time of year to be a very lonely and depressing time. I even hate this feeling of hating Christmas. Why can’t I enjoy it as others do? Why can’t it be a time of warmth and thanksgiving, of generosity of spirit for me?