I feel like there may be backlash for saying this but, the holidays really aren’t my thing. Want to know why? Watch this video.
Published by
Lyric Holmans
Lyric Rivera, an Autistic self-advocate from Texas, runs the the internationally recognized neurodiversity lifestyle blog Neurodivergent Rebel. Neurodivergent Rebel was opened in 2016, as a way to introduce people unfamiliar with autism to neurodiversity. The blog, which is sometimes released in written format and also via YouTube video, explores the ideology of neurodiversity and the creative expressions of autistic people. Riveras’ blog pushes for acceptance of neurological differences and respect for the autonomy of neurodivergent people. Lyric is also known as the pioneer of the #AskingAutistics hashtag, which is often accompanied by a short question about everyday autistic experiences. This simple hashtag connects neurodiverse people who would not otherwise have a reason to engage with each other to foster understanding of the autistic experience. View all posts by Lyric Holmans
Enjoyed the video and I concur. I have never enjoyed holidays or birthdays. Left to my own devices I would only celebrate maybe anniversaries, which I have been informed is similar to the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. shrug And on the larger holidays I could not make it home, I volunteered at shelters and soup kitchens – which was spectacular.
It seems like all too often Christmas becomes about stress, social pressure, and commercialism, and I have no desire to get sucked into that whirlwind. I’ve enjoyed Christmas the most when it’s just been about close family and good food, with some pretty decorations thrown in for good measure.
I always enjoy learning about other people’s unpopular opinions, because I find I agree with so many of them. I’m starting to wonder how unpopular these unpopular opinions really are.
I have a love/hate relationship with the holidays. I, too, love the twinkle lights and hanging out with family and loved ones. I hate the chaos, the Christmas crap being on store shelves in SEPTEMBER FFS, the consumerism, the stress that modern society’s idea of Christmas brings.
We don’t do the whole traditional/commercial Christmas thing. My husband HATES holidays and gets very anxious if we try to do the sorts of planned things that most people do, so we don’t. I think for me it’s the pressure of having to do all that stuff – decorating, going into debt, etc. I do love the music and the lights though, just not all the acting and trying to out-do everyone else that people seem to do for the holidays. Oh, and when our son was little we both decided we weren’t going to do the Santa thing because I knew if we did he would always wonder about everything else I tried to tell him – if we lied about Santa what else were we lying about. No thanks!
Oooh well!!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts..
But.. it won’t affect my infectious joy and thrill for Christmas 🎄..
You have your reasons for hating Christmas 🎄..
I actually hate holloween..
So now we are equal..
We all choose to like or not to like something..
and we all have valid reason for doing so..
So merry Christmas 🎄🎁..
or not so merry.. Christmas 🎄
Hi. I might be suffering some a bit of culture difference but I am not sure whether it is holidays in general you don’t like or just Christmas. I’m not going to criticise you for your opinions because that it what they are – your opinions. If you are talking about Christmas then you have made a lot of fair points – it is creepy that children are told not to talk to strangers but are expected to cuddle up to this strange man in a red suit all of a sudden! And as for the spendfest – well what more can I say?!
However none of what is called Christmas these days seems to have much to do with what Christmas is really about. Nativity plays in the UK now have to be ‘politically correct’ which tends to mean that you can be singing reindeer, elves whatever as long as you don’t mention anything to do with a baby in a manger (cos that is a religion and you might upset other religions!).
So whilst my personal opinion is I love the family time, the reflecting on the Christian story, the good-wishes of my friends, I am well aware that for many people bad things have happened to them at Christmas so they really have trouble with all of the hype. I also like the fact that you are kind enough to buy your friends/family the right present as and when you see it, and why shouldn’t you? It is your life after all and only you can decide how you live it, so don’t worry about the people who don’t like your decision – they are the grinches, not you!
Merry Christmas.
I do not like what Christmas has become. As a Christian, it feels weird at best (unfortunate at worst) that we celebrate the birth of someone who wants us to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, etc. by enriching ourselves and each other through items. I even refused to make a wishlist (much to the chagrin of some in my family) because I’ve grown to have that much of a dislike of what Christmas has become.
I agree. I think part of my issue (other than the expense of holidays) is that I’m socially awkward and my anxiety / ADD hinder my planning ability. I suck at planning and putting on the “perfect” holiday gathering so I’ve stopped even trying. I’ve had enough of “keeping up with the Joneses” and have been scaling back on holiday spending each year. I’ve also found that no one truly cares about how fancy you are. All that really matters is that you are together having fun. So no froo-froo for me. 🙂
I think a lot of people don’t like Christmas for the same reasons. I like Christmas, but I agree that family and twinkle lights are the best parts by far. And Christmas cookies.
Good post. I agree with you. I started disliking all the Christmas stuff when I was in college.
I don’t like it either. I think it’s much ado about nothing. Which it actually is because Jesus wasn’t born on Dec 24. It’s really the continuation of the Pagan Saturnalia (that I think is cool). I hate the ongoing expectations of it. I hate gathering the energy because even if I don’t like something I’m going to make it fun! I did blogmas this year to see if it would change my feelings. It hasn’t. I like researching, learning new things, pondering, taking pix (which I have done for my blogmas posts). I enjoy what it takes to create a post that but it has nothing to do with Christmas.
If you post more unpopular opinion videos, I’ll watch them. I love hearing peoples’ opinions, whether they’re popular opinions or not.
I suspect that everyone secretly hates Christmas but elects to go with the flow and pretend they love it. I’m an open holiday hater.
nice…
Merry Christmas…
I think Christmas is really stressful and sad for many people who are doing it tough financially. There are some aspects of Christmas I like but I agree, the obligatory, spending frenzie is insane and goes against the old intention of the festival which was to celebrate the life of a particular spiritual teacher who (if he did exist) was extremely non-materialistic. So ironic that the day is now all about consumerism on credit.. Also, stopped by your blog to let you know that I nominated you for a blogger recognition award. Instructions below if you’d like to participate but no obligation. Love your blog and perspective. Best wishes https://thetruthaboutmentalhealth.wordpress.com/2017/12/26/blogger-recognition-award-happy-holidays/
Oh they joy of finding I am not alone <3 I just don’t believe in them. For better or worst, the magic, fantasy and tradition of holidays and birthdays got lost to me.
I dislike feeling obligated to give someone a gift, expecting one of similar value in return. It’s like, “congratulations, we’ve spent money on each other. The commandment has been fulfilled.”
I completely agree with you. And it’s almost christmas again… such an uncomfortable and irritating time of the year.