Doing the Opposite

This first month, December of 2012, I'd like to blog about "doing the opposite".

If a person has a tendency to emotionally react to a situation in a way that might be unrealistic, out of proportion, or "escalating", DBT offers a technique to challenge that emotion.  This is simply by acting in a manner that is opposite of one's initial reaction.  

Not to say, let's go and invalidate every feeling we have and turn into Dr. jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but I do find some validity in this concept.  In moments of depression, I have forced myself to do the opposite of isolating, and instead have thrown myself into work with my students.  It has often had tremendous results, and so I'd like to explore this more.  

I think my pessimism towards the holidays is a really good opportunity for me to try out "doing the opposite".

Now, my unexcitement for Christmas is relatively new.  It has crept up on me slowly and I"m afraid is indicative of larger sentiments and attitudes I have been accumulating.  I think I've come to realize that many adults enjoy the holidays when they get to see Christmas through a child's eyes-  to somehow re-experience the wonder that we believe children feel at the idea of Santa Claus and dreams coming true.  

The ba-humbug in me could say I have no children in my personal life that I can share that joy with.  I'm single w/o kids, I don't have any nieces or nephews yet, and I don't live close by enough to my friends who have kids to really be a part of their worlds.  I don't even have a pet to dress up and take a stupid picture of!   I'm old enough that I've done the reminiscent holiday and watched "A Christmas Story" and "Home Alone".  I've made ginger bread houses, decorated the house, and done the Kris Kringle markets and watched Elf.  I enjoyed these things, but i've started to lose the feeling.  Even reminiscing feels "old". 

So how do I cope with this scenario?  I don't want to be a ba-humbug...and I've been realizing lately how I want to be part of a family.  I am going to approach this month with "doing the opposite."

Instead of avoiding the symbols that i've come to distaste, I am going to find ways to embrace the holiday.