Doing the “Holiday Party” Circuit When You’re Not in the Mood

Is your calendar as crazy as mine is this week? We’ve got a slew of “holiday parties”, many of them professional responsibilities, that involve dressing up in high heels and going out when I’d truly rather snuggle up in PJs and finally watch the finale of Survivor (and no spoilers please!)

Normally I love parties, but for some reason this year I’m less enthusiastic. The kicker came Friday night when our attendance was required at a really lovely party that involved a lot of food, a lot of drinks and a lot of dancing. Coming on the heels of the tragedy in Newtown, it felt all wrong in my heart. Yes, we did pause prior to dinner — at a corporate party — for a moment of prayer for those who had perished. That was heartfelt, and welcomed I think by all in attendance. And then the party went on as scheduled.

As I was on the dance floor with my husband trying to fake-boogie my way through “Brown Eyed Girl”, a little fit of despair kicked in. That’s unusual for me — I’m really normally a “glass is 3/4 full” type of girl. But dancing that night felt wrong, and I’m actually still, days later, not sure when it will feel right again.

So today I ask you, is going about the holiday season as scheduled right this year? Should our celebrations be tempered in solidarity with those feeling such amazing loss? Or does that not help anyone?

I have no answers for this one, but welcome yours.