Christmas Shopping Alone Is Kinda Depressing
Wandering the clean sparkling mall,
Christmas music pouring in through the speakers,
It’s not bad.
It’s better than being cooped-up in your room,
Watching the same YouTube videos,
Ignoring the same chores.
And it’s nice to give,
To scourer the shops and shelves,
For the perfect gift,
To make a loved one smile,
A little trinket that matches their soul,
Make them feel appreciated.
But you wish they could be with you,
Wish you could enjoy the music with them,
Wish you could bask in the lights with them.
You love these people enough,
To want to buy them something,
Yet you don’t have the courage,
To just spend time with them,
To invite them to the mall,
To sit down and watch a movie with them.
Spending time with the people you love,
Is scary.
Walking around the Disney Store,
Trying to find the right doll or figure,
Pacing up and down in Spencer’s for a funny t-shirt,
These are games,
Challenges,
Momentary distractions,
From how lonely you are,
How disconnected you’ve become,
From those close to you.
Maybe that’s the real magic of Christmas.
We can play all these games we want,
Buy as many presents as we please,
But when all is said and done,
On Christmas morning,
You still have to emerge from your cave,
And sit in a room,
With these people.
For better or worse,
Intentionally or not,
Christmas makes us confront our loneliness.
That’s probably why,
It depresses so many people.
But it’s still important.
Merry Christmas.
