Listening to Holiday Songs Is My Coping Mechanism
When I need a pick-me-up, or just want to have a warm and fuzzy feeling inside, I put on my holiday playlist of a measly 300 songs. It might seem odd, because although a lot of people enjoy holiday tunes, they tend to only want to listen to it one month out of the year, two at max. But I can really start getting into it in September most years, though I did hold out until October this year (no one congratulated me).
I started this habit in college. I wasn’t even ill then, just extremely stressed out. It would annoy my friends and family (still does) but I really didn’t care. I could sing and hum my way through “Sleigh Ride” and nothing was going to stop me. When the chronic illness came, something else came with it: stress. So of course I took my coping mechanism from before and applied it to what I experience now.
Who doesn’t like to imagine themselves walking in a winter wonderland? Or sitting by a delightful fire? Or even hearing those sleigh bells jingling ring ting tingling too? They all elicit enjoyable memories for me; yearly gatherings of friends and family, playing in the snow, ringing a bell to raise money for the homeless, making gifts and writing cards for my favorite people, and being a wide-eyed 5-year-old opening a Barbie that was my size on Christmas day sent all the way across the country from Grandma and Grandpa. And even though I may have been a little zombie-ish through the last few holiday seasons, I still appreciate the good memories and still find joy in the more current ones.
When I feel low, I try to think high. (No not that kind of high!) So to lift my spirits I put on my
holiday playlist, sing along to the songs as best I can and push the depressing emotions aside. Heck, even if I’m not feeling down I put them on just to accentuate my happiness or give me a little bit more pep. So even though it may not be the season to feel jolly and joyous, I will belt out that “I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!“
We want to hear your story. Become a Mighty contributor here.
Bradley grew up in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Her ambition landed her at Carnegie Mellon University where she studied mathematics. She was able to graduate even though half the time she spent there she was dealing with multiple chronic illnesses that progressed aggressively. She has spent the last three years at home undergoing treatments to get her health back. She is incredibly grateful for her family and friends that have stuck around through what sometimes feels like the hole that has become her life.
bradley-jamison