The Generation X Files

I think as I get older, I’m becoming less of a ‘Christmas person’. I don’t much like the winter and my favourite day during the festive period is actually today! From this day forward I am gaining daylight whoop whoop!

Don’t get me wrong I have had lovely festive fun times but, it’s not my favourite time of year.

I’m not sure if I’ve changed or the world has but, I just find it all too commercialized and devoid of any genuine cheer now.

I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to make it the most wonderful time of the year. I’d prefer to spread the goodwill out across the whole 12 months.

Maybe it’s memories tainted by nostalgia but I used to like this holiday season more. I remember seeing charity boxes being stuffed with notes by ‘merry’ shoppers.

It was a time of year where people were a little kinder. Where you would show appreciation with a tip (or tipple 😉).

Of course the world has changed and now everything is more expensive. I guess that’s one of the reasons that we give less to charity each year globally.

But people don’t need less help or support.

It’s easy for me, we’re just treating this next week like any other. Our concession to the ‘big day’ will be some extra yummies in our tummies and watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. We’re easily pleased in this house!

The hard part will be I won’t see my mum over Christmas but I’ll speak to her and she’ll send me a gif on my phone that will make me laugh (my mum is the Queen of funny gifs!). We’ll see each other soon though and we’re already looking forward to that!

Apart from that I’m going into the New Year in pretty good shape and I’m feeling pretty lucky if I’m honest. A lottery (or even scratch-card) win would have been nice but there’s different kinds of luck.

As this year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year that’s gone past in a flash. A year where I turned 50 and started to win the 35 year fight against my auto-immune disease.

An enormous year for me from that point of view – one where I’ll end it with something even Santa couldn’t give as a gift…hope.

Rather than keep that to myself, I want to pass that feeling on.

I’ve already started with this blog but I want it to be more than just me writing. I would like to be able to interact with people more than this current format allows.

It’s my New Year’s resolution to make my digital gang-hut as accessible as possible to anyone who wants to hang out here.

I don’t want to have anything people will have to pay for. I’m looking at things like a free Discord for chats and maybe a Reddit community. As always, I’m open to suggestions…

I don’t want to exclude anyone with paywalls or complicated tech. I have zero budget but I like a challenge and hopefully, others will help! I’d like to build a truly social media where real humans can connect with each other. Hopefully, a community where we can provide help and support directly.

I’m not sure it’s even possible but I’ll never know if I don’t try….

I opened a door when I started this blog and I’m delighted by how many people accepted the invitation. A lot of people have taken a peek while others have stuck around.

Now it’s time to settle in and get comfy. I’ll keep the tunes and topics flowing and everyone is welcome to join.

I know this can be a difficult time of year for a lot of people so I actually struggled with the title for today’s post. In the end I chose this one by Slade because, I do wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas. As for me, I’m already looking to the future….it’s only just begun!

Happy holidays everybody! Thanks for your support, views, likes and subscriptions!

Be kind to each other and look after yourselves.

Citizen Jane x 🎄🍻

p.s The good thing about not being very festive is I’ll be around during the holidays. Feel free to get in touch (in the comments or via my contact page) if you need some company over the Xmas period. I’ll send a digital mince pie to the first cheesy Christmas cracker joke that makes me laugh! 👇👀