Permission to be Merry
This week, I started listening to Holiday music and watching Christmas movies. Not in secret or with a sheepish don’t judge me disclaimer; I am loud and proud stepping into the Holidays. And I say holidays and not Christmas because my favorite song that I've had on repeat is actually a Hannukah song called Miracle (I dare you to listen to this song and not immediately love life). In the past, I would have called this early-holiday-listening a guilty pleasure. But I’ve decided I hate that term: why should I feel guilty about something that makes me happy?
Back in 2020, when the pandemic was raging and the election had everyone on edge, I knew Christmas wouldn’t look the same. In a state of near depression, Andrew and I went to the store and loaded the cart with Christmas decorations and we didn’t wait for Thanksgiving to end before we put them up. We needed some joy so we went for it. Our basement looked like Christmas threw up all over it and I loved every bit of it. That year taught me that joy shouldn't need permission, and it should never need to be justified or delayed. Joy simply needs to be felt.
As we finish out this year, here’s your reminder: do what makes you happy. If that means blasting Christmas music in November, watching Hallmark movies on loop, or putting up the tree before the turkey hits the table - DO IT! Joy doesn’t follow a calendar, it follows your heart, and science tells us that early decorating spikes our dopamine which is why we feel happier. So, deck those halls, light the candles, roast the chestnuts and let the season begin whenever you need it.
