marcicat | why I love mainstream holidays

Like many people (I’m guessing), I’ve spent much of my life feeling like an outsider, whether or not that status could technically be claimed by me or not. To this day, there are vast swathes of my life (particularly social situations) in which I have absolutely no idea what I’m expected to do, or even what I could do that would bring relative joy to myself or others.

Enter mainstream holidays — there’s a standard greeting! A common frame of reference! Often a set of generalized core activities! It is *so* easy to be part of the group, and it’s nice to feel included. I like it.

And of course, the big three are clustered at the end of the year.

1. Thanksgiving
The eating holiday!

2. Christmas
The present holiday!

3. New Year
The drinking holiday!
(Granted, I have the most trouble with this one, as I am neither a drinker nor a partier, but in terms of being a cultural minefield, it’s the least problematic of the three.)

So even though I relieved to basically have the season of celebrating over with, there are aspects I enjoyed greatly, and one of them was that feeling of being able to safely smile and wave and greet people, even total strangers, without fear. Thanks for welcoming me in for the season, mainstream holidays!

Mirrored from The Marci Rating System.