To answer the OP, my suffering is the same as it has been for a few years. It doesn't change because of Christmas or the New Year coming. Mentally, I get more disgusted with people this time of year for several reasons. This year it seemed lots of rude people, more than years before. Maybe I am just getting more intolerant.
Example was two days ago, I decided to get my hair cut and my favorite salon is a no appointment place where you wait in line outside in the cold or heat depending on the season. It was 28 degrees F and I knew I would have to wait at least 15 minutes, so I went 20 minutes early. No one was standing by the door, but as I was getting near the designated line area, one guy gets out of his car and runs to beat me and be first in line.
I fell in behind Mr. I'm gonna be first and then quickly others exited their cars and fell in line. When the manager gal arrived and went in, locking the door behind her, another burly guy got out of his pickup and told the guy first in line that he was first. After a hostile exchange full of sexually abusive language, with the mother behind me covering her young sons ears, I told Mr. Burly Sissy that the rules of the salon are to take customers as they are lined up. If you sit in your warm pickup, then you fall in line behind those that braved the cold.
Anyway he barged in and the manager told him he would have to wait 2 hours because of all that were ahead of him. He stormed out after calling her a female dog, Mr. Jog from car to be first, took seat as the first and chose my hair dresser. This made me wait another 20 minutes since I use the same hairdresser. About half way through Mr. Jogs haircut, Mr. No wait, comes in, and goes to the guy that was 1st and starts arguing with him and telling him his haircut was over and meet him outside to settle the matter and telling the dresser she was not fair.
The other dresser gets her cell and starts dialing the cops, saying loudly what she was doing. The jerk leaves. While getting my haircut he came in again to apologize for using bad language in front of children, since it was Christmas time. He left and as I was paying the phone rang and after a brief listen, the dresser says, "Hell NO!," and slams down the phone. She says Mr. Jerk has cooled off and wants to come in that afternoon. Everyone got a good laugh.
Anyway, I noticed when I went to the pharmacy that the line was 22 long and the clerks were moving like turtles, plus some old lady (around my age of 75 hahaha) was arguing with the pharmacist about her prescription. He was trying to explain her doctor changed it, not him. Then a couple of non English speaking folks cut in line. The bilingual clerk had to come and explain to them that they had to wait in line. They got mad and left.
Tis the season for short tempers and rude people it seems. I wish you all relief from both physical and mental pain. As we age, it seems to me that living in the moment is more important than ever. Don't let it build and take out your pain, grief, and disappointment on others, but share with others that will understand, and find peace in that we care.
May your New Year be one of happiness and content.
. She's great company!
today!