I don’t like Christmas Countdowns

And yes, that is coming from me.
The Queen of Christmas Countdowns.

I had countdowns on my Christmas forum, my Christmas blog,
and my Instagram page for years.

I always started the countdown on September 15,
marking the hundred days until Christmas.

Some hated it, and did not have any trouble letting me know.
They wrote that I ruined their Christmas.
That I should not even think or talk about Christmas until at least December 1.

Well, that’s too late for me.
Then I would only have twenty-four days of the magic.
And I need more than that.

But I finally realized that even I don’t like Christmas countdowns.

I didn’t even pay attention to how many days we had left, even though I was the one posting the number every day.
I think I unconsciously didn’t want to know how few days were left of the magic.

So often I would meet someone and they would comment on the number of days left until Christmas, and I wouldn’t have a clue what they were talking about.

«Thirty-four, yeah?»

You know, I love the weeks (months, if I’m really honest) leading up to Christmas. But countdowns on my social media made them shorter, busier, and more stressful.

It was only when I logged off that I could truly be in my own
little Christmas bubble.

And that was amazing.
A relief.
So quiet and peaceful.

I don’t like Christmas countdowns.
They only make me feel stressed.
An inner sense of urgency, every single day throughout
the entire Christmas season.

And I mean every countdown to Christmas.
Not just mine.
I don’t want it.

I can feel my stomach tighten just thinking about it.

Last year, there was no countdown on the forum or on Juleglede’s Instagram.
This year, I have deactivated my Instagram account completely, at least for now.

I am incredibly grateful for my more than 100,000 followers.
But I had a much better Christmas season last year without the account.

Why count down to something I don’t want to end?

I cherish the weeks leading up to Christmas,
and I have no desire to rush towards Christmas Eve.

For me, Christmas Eve is where the Christmas anticipation ends.

Yes, I know that sounds dramatic.
But the weeks leading up to Christmas are Christmas to me.

It was such a relief not to be on Juleglede’s Instagram.
It takes a lot of work to post pictures every single day for a hundred days.
I felt like my entire day revolved around that account.

It was as if the Christmas spirit was getting lost in all the work.
The requests just kept coming 24/7.
And I felt I had to answer to everyone.

I could have made money from the account, but that was never my intention.
I always wanted a place for us Christmas lovers to enjoy the season together.
To share my love for Christmas with others who also love Christmas.

That’s why I created my Christmas forum back in 2007.
A place for those of us who love Christmas.
We are indeed a big Christmas family in there now.

Anyway, I am glad Instagram isn’t my full-time job.
All credit to those who have the energy for it.

Giving up Instagram last year was something I really needed to do.

Instead of sharing everyone else’s Christmas season,
I had time to enjoy my own.

My own Christmas.

My own Christmas magic.

The weeks leading up to Christmas were absolutely amazing without social media.

They felt long and peacefully wonderful.
Time seemed to move more slowly.

I had so much more room for Christmas.

Room to feel that Christmas anticipation,
and simply be in it.

That’s how it will be this year too, and I am looking forward to it.