Tis the Season to be...

oramar · Dec 16, 2007

Oh it is not just them. I am catching myself being grumpy with clerks in stores and yelling at other drivers more than I normaly do. Have to keep reminding myself what time of the year it is.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 16, 2007

yup, definitely is the season to be grumpy! i think it's the rush to get things done, the artificial cheeriness of the malls and all the people out rushing about!

a few years ago, my husband and i were out christmas shopping. he's a martial arts instructor, and one of his beginning students (the kind who has no control) had busted him in the eye. he had a beautiful shiner that day. we were in a long line of cars waiting to turn left into the shopping center, and were slowly inching our way forward through three red lights. the light turned red again, and some suv buzzed through it and right past the entire line of cars waiting to turn left, turning left in front of us all. i was sooo angry!

when my turn came to turn left, i turned into the parking lot and by some extreme stroke of fortune (either good or ill) it turned out that the first open parking spot i encountered was right next to that very same suv. the "lady" driving it was still at her vehicle, and i took the opportunity to unload some of my righteous indignation. she was somewhat belligerent at first, but then turned abjectly apologetic. i thought it was the perfect sense and absolute brilliance of my lecture -- until i was finished and she had slunk away. then i noticed that my dh, sporting his lovely shiner, was standing next to me. she probably figured that if i could blacken the eye of a strapping specimen like himself, there was no telling what i could do to her!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2007

Have a heart! I'm normally a positive and happy person. I've been going through chemotherapy for the last 4 months and there are days when I just want to put my hands around someone's throat and strangle them for just being too nice. It's because I don't feel well most of the time and the side effects of the chemo drugs have been horrendous. When you don't feel 100%, having Christmas cheer thrown in the face is the last thing on one's mind. Unfortunately, 'tis the season for depression as well as "to be jolly".

morte, LPN, LVN · Dec 16, 2007

yup, for many years now, they could take from oct 30 thru jan 2 out of the calendar, and the only thing i would miss is the extra pay.....

jewelshouse · Dec 16, 2007

Although this has nothing to do with nursing my first thought was

Tis the season to be . . . BROKE!

Mom to 3 kids and full time student speaking here!

jewelshouse · Dec 16, 2007

Tis the season to be . . . BROKE!

Maybe that's why everyone is grumpy

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Dec 16, 2007

Grumpy!
All our residents just now seem to be so grumpy, complaining about everything! Even festive trips, decor and movies can't lighten them up! Aaaaargh! I think Santa needs to deliver some festive cheer to stop all our residents bickering with each other! And don't even mention the staff........

Oh, gosh, you mean it's not just MY residents and staff?!

I noticed this same phenomenon last year around holiday time........the staff seemed to melt down en masse, and the residents were just out-of-sorts. It was all I could do to stay Christmas-cheery myself, but then my BIL was diagnosed w/ esophageal Ca and my co-worker's grandbaby was born 16 weeks early, so there went MY happy thoughts.

This year, I figured it would be different, but my staff is grumpy and given to the gripes, and the residents are down in the dumps as well. I'm sure the dreary, cold, damp weather we've been having isn't helping, nor is the fact that many of them have families that will be gathering around the Christmas tree........without them. It's good to know that this isn't unusual, even if it is rather distressing. Thanks for sharing!

Simplepleasures · Dec 16, 2007

Have a heart! I'm normally a positive and happy person. I've been going through chemotherapy for the last 4 months and there are days when I just want to put my hands around someone's throat and strangle them for just being too nice. It's because I don't feel well most of the time and the side effects of the chemo drugs have been horrendous. When you don't feel 100%, having Christmas cheer thrown in the face is the last thing on one's mind. Unfortunately, 'tis the season for depression as well as "to be jolly".

I am sorry Daytonite , that you have been feeling unwell. I hope you feel more like yourself soon. At this time of year maybe we should all consider that some folks are having a not so Merry Christmas .I hope next year will be back to normal for you. So sorry.

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2007

Grumpy!
All our residents just now seem to be so grumpy, complaining about everything! Even festive trips, decor and movies can't lighten them up! Aaaaargh! I think Santa needs to deliver some festive cheer to stop all our residents bickering with each other! And don't even mention the staff........

Wow - just wow. These are LTC people who had previously been at the heads of their families, their houses used to be the destination for all the kids and grandkids to come for the holidays and now they are stuck in a nursing home! No wonder tempers are running short. Here these people sit all day, with nothing left but forced cheer and maybe a day pass if if the family feels so inclined. I'd be pretty down in the dumps too. Maybe they just don't feel like being happy and resent the forced cheer.

Blee

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2007

Have a heart! I'm normally a positive and happy person. I've been going through chemotherapy for the last 4 months and there are days when I just want to put my hands around someone's throat and strangle them for just being too nice. It's because I don't feel well most of the time and the side effects of the chemo drugs have been horrendous. When you don't feel 100%, having Christmas cheer thrown in the face is the last thing on one's mind. Unfortunately, 'tis the season for depression as well as "to be jolly".

{{{{daytonite******

It's dark and cold. I tend towards depression and that's coupled with SAD - seasonal affective disorder. I need a LOT of lights on in the house and coziness or I get really gloomy.

Chloe'sinNYNow · Jan 7, 2008

It's a dark and gloomy place to be unemployed, ill, and wondering how much longer you can keep your own head held high when inside you're a crumbling mess and you're surrounded by false gaiety and radio stations that continuously play the same holiday music on 2 of the 3 local stations, and you watch couples announce their holiday engagements and baby news when you are all alone and ending your 30's with no hope of ever having one of your own.

Daytonite, I am sorry you aren't well. My heart is breaking for you.

Sue, I feel your pain. You know I do.

To all else, shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh :zzzzz

Chloe