What matters in the end and the beginning... relationships, peace.
I put away a few decorations today from Christmas. There were very few that went up this year. I feel full.
We moved the tree to the basement to make more room for the family dinner upstairs. That proved to be a good idea.
What does chaos do, especially the chaos of consumerism?
It robs me of real joy. I am realizing some of the more subtle, more sinister aspects of consumerism, especially around holidays. Happiness at the holidays will be attained when maximum cheer is created, mostly through perfectly crafted homes, settings, clothing, presents, decorations, activities, etc.
This year, we had fewer presents and decorations, fewer must-do activities, which meant more relaxed time for games, conversations, walks. It allowed us to go to events with more ease and excitement instead of exhaustion. It allowed us to have several spontaneous meals with people in town instead of attending events we'd planned well in advance. We were joyful and relaxed, we were together. We created happy, peaceful memories.