The Holidays: Teenage Edition

Holidays don’t feel special anymore.

A time once filled with magic and excitement, has transformed into mere dates on the calendar. Picking the perfect Halloween costume has shifted from an eagerly anticipated adventure into a mundane chore, and for most high schoolers, strolling through the costume lane is but a memory. The eagerness to rise at the crack of dawn to Santa’s presents has turned into an excuse to sleep in.

The enchantment of these special occasions fades away, leaving us to wonder: why does this happen?

In our younger years, holidays felt like stepping into a fairytale, with Halloween bringing the exhilarating thrill of dressing up and indulging in endless candy. However, as we grow older, our sense of reality often hinders us from experiencing that carefree delight. The age of innocence slowly fades as we come to terms with the fact that we're no longer the cringey children who eagerly embarked on trick-or-treating, shedding tears when our parents insisted on bundling us up in coats over our awesome costumes.

As high schoolers, our priorities have shifted dramatically. The formidable challenge of choosing our Halloween costume has changed into the challenge of getting that next 7 or 8. We often find ourselves juggling a plethora of responsibilities, from academic pursuits to planning for the future. It's all too easy to feel like we've lost touch with the simple joys of the past, overshadowed by the growing responsibilities that come with teenagehood.

So, how can we rekindle the ‘holiday magic?’

Learn to embrace your inner child. Growing up is inevitable, but staying young at heart is a choice, and that’s perfectly okay. Don't be afraid of seeming too "cringy" or "too old" to celebrate. High schoolers, just like anyone else, should feel free to embrace the holiday spirit without facing judgment. You don't have to do something grandiose, small gestures can make a significant difference. For example, taking a break during the day or treating yourself to your favorite Halloween candy.

By crafting new traditions that revolve around spending quality time with friends and doing fun activities, you can effortlessly inject new life into these seemingly lackluster holidays. It's essential to recognize that the holiday spirit isn't about an elusive "magic" but rather about cherishing meaningful moments. Of course, the life of an IB student is often packed with commitments, making it challenging to arrange big gatherings with friends. However, simply being in the company of friends can create core memories. You can set aside some time to plan a casual hangout or call, just like you typically would.

Ultimately, romanticize the little things! Take a few seconds to savor the sight of candy corn and pumpkin decorations in cafés. Turn on the holiday-themed playlist. Buy gifts for your friends on Christmas. While idealized views aren't always grounded in reality, they can provide a temporary much-needed escape. It may not magically transform your life overnight, but it can certainly make the mundane, tiring, and dull aspects of high school life a bit more bearable.

As you prepare for the approaching holidays, remember that the power to recapture their magic lies within you. Even with a packed schedule filled with assessments and studying, you can start by engaging in the smallest of activities. The festive spirit can be rekindled, and it doesn't have to be confined to mere memories.