Happy(?) Holiday Season with TBI

Posted by Ric J @ricj, Dec 17, 2023

Happy Holiday season everyone. However, for me it's really not a happy season. Why? It seems that's every store I have to go into is so bright & loud, it's obvious it's not made for survivors of a traumatic brain injury.

When growing up, all the Christmas lights and songs were part of December and I loved it. My family would take a drive though downtown Minneapolis to see store fronts and listen to singers proclaiming that this is the best part of the year. Shopping for gifts, looking though catalogs to pick my gifts, wonderful memories. Well, maybe then, but not now. Why? It's impossible for this survivor to go though store aisles with more customers then normal, music playing louder then normal, lights brighter then normal, everything at a fever pitch. Even customers talking to other people.

So what the heck can I do to get though December? I only shop on Wednesdays, which seems to be the least busy. Wear sunglasses if neccessary, or a hat with a large brim to shade the lights. Bring a ear covering headphone to soften the music. Only go shopping when I really, really have too, like buying gifts for my wife. Buy as much groceries as possible. Using every tip or technique in my toolbox, understanding that December will soon past, I've lived though the last 20 holiday seasons and will add another year as well.

Have a good, productive and wonderful December 2023, and the upcoming new year, using tips & techniques in your toolbox.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Support Group.

Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Dec 19, 2023

Good morning @ricj -
Thank you for beginning such a thoughtful post and sharing your story of holiday conquering through living with TBI. Congrats on 20 by the way! No doubt its been a long haul, but I feel your tenacity in learning how to manage struggles and keep persevering. It's possible I may have connected with you at some point already because your impressive resume rings a bell in this foggy brain of mine. What I like most about your post is how you've problem solved. While my cause is not traumatic brain injury, my symptoms from living with central sensitization syndrome mirror what you've described your holiday challenges to be and how I tackle them as well. Where there's a will there's a way, right?

Tis the season for sharing so here are a few conversations that are along the same lines of problem solving for chronic pain and symptoms:

Moderation and Modification: How can it help your chronic pain?
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/moderation-and-modification-how-can-you-benefit/

Holiday Sensory Overload - How do you manage?
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/holiday-sensory-overload-how-do-you-manage/

And for good measure - this one about S.M.A.R.T goals may come in handy for the New Year:
- S.M.A.R.T Goals and Chronic Pain - How smart are you?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/smart-goals-and-chronic-pain-how-smart-are-you/
I love a good tool box, it's a means of survival. Thanks again for sharing some of the tools that help you during the holidays, you have inspired me. Here's to 2024 and continued perseverance. Do you happen to have any goals mapped out for the new year yet?

Ric J | @ricj | Dec 19, 2023

I have one goal, to publish a book of my photographs. It will take maybe two years, have to finish taking all the photos still on my "list", and then print them.

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