Home For The Holidays
Speaking as a college student and to my fellow college students, my absolute favorite time of year is when I get to come home for the holidays, specifically Christmas. It's always after final exams, so the stress built up over the previous 4 months is lifted, and I finally get the chance to relax. Coming home for the holidays was always my escape from the stressors of life. However, this year feels different. The excitement towards Christmas is not quite the same. Am I getting too old for Christmas? Is coming home for the holidays not as exciting for me anymore? Why don't I feel the same as I did in previous years?
I don't think this is an uncommon phenomenon, in fact, EliteDaily has an entire article dedicated to the emotional stages of Christmas, both the highs and the lows. In past years, I have always anticipated coming home weeks beforehand, but this year, I no longer feel that way, and I think I figured out why.
When I think back to before I left for college, the majority of my time was spent with my immediate family. I was not leaving anything behind when the holidays came around, and there were only things to look forward to like Christmas cookies, presents, and snuggling up by the fire with hot chocolate.
When I reflect back to freshman year of college, it was no wonder I was so excited to come home for the holidays. I was cramped in one room with three people with only a mini fridge and a microwave. I couldn't make my mom's famous sugar Christmas cookies or snuggle up by the fire. I missed by queen-sized bed at home and got frustrated every time I banged my forehand on the ceiling because we didn't know how to lower the bed on the top bunk.
I am now in my Junior year and this is the first time that I am not counting down the days to drive the 8 hours back to my hometown. As a household, we decorate for the holidays. From putting up a real Christmas tree together, adding ornaments from each of our childhood homes, to hanging colorful lights along the roof of out humble back house. The three women that I live with are not just my roommates, they are my family. And for the first time, I feel like I am leaving home for the holidays rather than coming home for the holidays, and I could not feel more lucky.
I have truly found my home away from home.
Hey Genna! It's Liane! I think it is super fascinating how you felt like you built your home away from home here in San Diego, I definitely know how you feel when you said as the years go by, your excitement of going back home is slowly getting less. That goes for me too, because I am also very far away from home, my freshman year I was also in a dorm and couldn't wait to go back home to see my family and get home cooked meals again. But now as a junior, I have fun housemates I always love hanging out with, I have a whole PC setup and cozy room in San Diego, I don't feel the urge to really go back home for the hoildays anymore. I do miss my family and of course I will still visit, but the feeling of excitement isn't as much as it used to be.
ReplyDeleteHi Genna,
ReplyDeleteChristmas time is my favorite holiday too! You brought up a great point in which its such a relaxing and fun holiday because all the school stress is lifted after finals and we are able to finally enjoy the winter break. It was amazing how you shared the memories you missed from back home. It is very sweet you have a family bond between yourself and your roommates. I loved the addition of the quote at the end in that you found your home away from home within the people you live in. Thank you for sharing I think you had an amazing blog post!
Hi Genna,
ReplyDeleteGreat post, love the festiveness of it! I too have struggled in recent holidays with feeling the “spirit”. This year it feels just really overwhelming and underwhelming all at the same time. Not trying to sound like The Grinch! But I can totally relate to what you were mentioning. So happy for you that you’ve found a family with your roommates that kind of bond is such a beautiful thing. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and great winter break! I know we are all looking forward to that.
Hi Genna,
ReplyDeleteI definitely feel the same excitement whenever winter break comes. The weather and the environment up in the bay area is just so nostalgic to me. My pops would always play Christmas music all weekends, hang up all the Christmas decor, and it would always feel extra chilly. Typically, I would always try to spend my breaks (Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years) to go back home. However, this year I actually decided to stay a little bit longer here in SoCal with my "second" family. Plus, I'm tryna get those extra hours in at work, and get that fat paycheck!