Exhausted by Christmas Party

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Hi guys!

I suppose my in-laws are no worse than average, and I suppose 2:00 pm to 9:30 pm is not considered excessive for a famliy do. Everyone behaved themselves and nothing went wrong. There were only seven of us, and that includes my wife and daughter. But I am exhausted. My social stamina is just not up to it. I had to take time out twice and also go for a forty minute walk.

How do my fellow Aspies manage?

I've still got it all to come. You must be celebrating Christmas Eve? Or are you in Australia?

I am not looking forward to it. Already my mother is disrupting the kitchen and dining room.

Merry Christmas

I just don't partake in such things as parties and gatherings. Nobody can force me to go there or allow them to come visit me -- they are NOT welcome. My own well--being is more important than this outmoded, sentimental family crap!

There were 15 people, including myself, over for Christmas Eve last night. I mostly stayed in my room and I ate in my room, and nobody noticed. Good.

At larger gatherings, I usually bring a book. Then I can be there under the guise of "studying." Although I find it almost impossibly hard to read when people are talking around me. Or I hang out with the little kids. I love kids, and they usually don't require much out of me.

Tonight though, is a smaller gathering. Which would be tolerable except that my sister's new boyfriend has just been invited which will turn the entire evening into small talk... Oh my.

Even as a kid I always found a way 'out'... I would get lost in coloring books and drawing when I got too overloaded. Now, as an adult, I just smile and nod alot and pray for the clock to move faster. Office parties are the worst because everyone keeps telling you 'you're off the clock, stop talking shop' when that's all I have to discuss with these people.

Lots of breaks! Cold air is a great way to recharge. Offer to take pets for walks, run to the convenience store... After decades, you come up with lots of excuses.

I can't empathize- I love being around my family, and am sad when Christmas is over.
It doesn't seem like "socializing" to me at all, as in some awkward thing whereby I have to be on guard.

I managed ok in the end. It was bad at first when everyone turned up because they were all talking at once. I just hung around for a bit, smiled and did the odd drink for people. Then had to escape to my room for 10 mins. Then I drank lots of caffiene and was able to handle the diner bit. After my diner, which I had first, I did all the washing up so that gave me something to focus on. Then I allowed the nephews to play computer games on my laptop which took up the rest of the day. So I survived.

I think the prospect of it all stressed me out more than the day itself.