Are you one of those folks who suffer from the December Doldrums? I don’t think it’s that uncommon. I used to really hate December. The stress of too much to do with too little time mixed with the need for it all to be perfect. Add in the huge contrast between the halves and the have nots, and I walked around with my heart in my throat all the time.
Believe it or not, I couldn’t even watch Hallmark movies. Thankfully, I’ve gotten past that. 😊 While I still have a lot to do, I’m nothing like as busy as when I was younger. But the other day while I was walking the neighborhood to get my 10 K steps, I was hit with a small bout of the December Doldrums. I was surprised and grateful that it didn’t hang around for a long time.
Do you know what I did to move past that emotion of loss and despair? Just like in that very old song, I counted my blessings which are many.
**Am I concerned about our environment? Yes, of course, but I live where I often get to see deer when I walk.
**Am I concerned about the health of good friends and family? Yes, but most of us have gotten our vaccinations and even been boosted. Those with serious threats to their health, have really great health care.
**Am I concerned about war starting with Russia over Ukrane? Yes, and I know I can’t do anything about that, but pray and trust that people will be wise enough to keep that from happening.
**Am I concerned about the threat to our democracy and the hate we see expressed every day? Yes, and I pray every day for our country and for people to find their way out of this morass and learn to love others regardless of what they look like, how they worship, and who they love. And I’m grateful for all the others out there praying and working for the same thing.
**I’m grateful for my sweet husband, my beautiful daughters, and their families. I’m grateful we all live less than twenty minutes from each other. I’m grateful for our precious, unique grands who constantly bring me joy. And our sweet Charley who insists we go walk at least twice a day, and gives the best greets.
**I’m grateful we live in our house on this beautiful lake where we are blessed every day with amazing views. The family came over and we watched the boat parade last Saturday. So fun.
**I’m grateful for our church family and that we get to work together to help others.
**I’m grateful I get to write and that many people enjoy my books.
**I’m grateful that while I’m amazed to find myself suddenly to be so old, I’m still able to be productive. I’ve had lots of amazing older folks as role models as to how to keep on keeping on. I’m eager to see what’s ahead for all of us.
Book info: I’m probably not going to write a Hallmark book. The 4-hour course I took last week was fascinating, but I’m not looking to learn a new style of writing. Script writing is different from writing a genre novel. And yes, my first attempt at writing way back in 2006 took the form of a play, and my background and training is in theatre, still it’s way different. I think that was a bit depressing for me, too. Apparently, I’d held the hope for a long time that one of my books would find it’s way into the movies. Realizing that was probably not the case was a bit of a reality check.
But starting next week you’ll have more than a week to purchase my latest, COMPROMISE for 99 Cents. I hope many of you will get it and post lots of reviews. It’s my almost “Halmarkish” type book. My newsletter will go out a day early next Wednesday with those links.
Do you ever suffer from the December Doldrums? What do you do to counter those? Are your decorations up? Mine are. Can you make those timers work? We struggle. At this point I’m still climbing up on the ladder to turn the fence lights on and off. Not ideal. But my fence looks cheery. We all need to spread a bit of cheer in what can be a dark time of the year.
So just learned about this. If I hadn’t gotten out of the doldrums yet, this would certainly do it. I’m so excited. Awards announced on Dec. 16. I may have to hold up my newsletter. 🙂
Love yourself and your family and friends. And as always I love to hear from you.
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Good morning, Marsha! Always good to count one’s blessings and you have many.
I can’t say that I’ve ever felt down in the dumps in December. I love December and I love Christmastime. For me, it’s magical and busy. We normally had lots of Christmas parties and company over, both when growing up and now. Last year and this year, not with friends because of Covid. I did have plans with one friend to come over yesterday for tea and that was cancelled due to her being ill.
Congratulations on being a finalist in the 2021 N.N. Book Awards. So proud of you, Marsha. Now that’s something also to celebrate!!
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Hey, Susan. I’m not surprised you have a history of party giving and going. I remember those times as a young adult. We gave a couple of super big parties and attended many connected to Bob’s work. But I think mine issues go back to when I was a kid and moved so much. Nothing has made me happier than to provide our kids a stable home.
Thanks for the good wishes. I’m super pumped to be a Finalist. I’ll probably enter Compromise in a contest or two. I don’t usually do that, but this is super encouraging. Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
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Hi Marsha, I understand about the December doldrums. For me it’s the weather here that mainly causes them. We rarely get a white Christmas now, and it seems to be mainly rain and mud. I try not to wish the time away to spring! I love how you counted your blessings. Many congratulations on your impressive line up of novels to date. I just downloaded Compromise and am looking forward to reading!
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Thank you for your solution to beating the December (or anytime) doldrums. If we can just remember to be positive about life, looking at the glass as half full. What a cliche, but cliches carry a lot of truths in them. Congrats on your award! Thrilled for you. I have Compromise on my Kindle and plan to have more time to read in the new year. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas filled with joy, peace, hope and love.
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