Rachel Killington spent Christmas Day on air at the radio station. And then what happened? PCD bites Last year for me, was amazing. I achieved more than I thought possible, and although there were low points, they were outweighed by positives. By the end of 2006 I was more settled than I had been in a long time, both at work and at home, and was looking forward to 2007 with great anticipation.
Fast forward a few weeks, and the story is slightly different… I have been hit by PCD - ‘Post Christmas Depression’- a condition so incapacitating that sufferers often end up house bound with only the television for company, surviving on a diet of Quality Street, Twiglets, and stale mince pies. I have been attempting to fight back against this debilitating illness by taking down the Christmas decorations and having a huge overhaul - both of the house and myself - in the vain hope that optimism for the forthcoming future will eclipse any residual post-festivity melancholy. I have been attempting to convince myself that Ryvita, salad and Muller Light Yogurt is far more enticing than the roast turkey, Christmas pudding and trifle I’ve become accustomed to. I have tried to look to the future - half the winter is over, and it’s only a few more months before my birthday. I have even considered joining a gym. Yet however much I try, I cannot get excited about the dark nights and biting winds that are almost guaranteed from now until March. I have put on half a stone after struggling hard to lose it before Christmas (a seemingly pointless exercise, but I’m sure most women do it, since we all know the importance of looking good at Christmas parties), and I am totally penniless after my Christmas present spending excesses. Therefore, driven by desperation I have concluded that hibernation for the next six weeks would be the most feasible option. Yes, I still have my work, but hours are scarce after the mad Christmas rush, and taking children to school (in the radio station’s Black Thunders 4x4s) when mornings are dark, bitterly icy and windy is far less fun than in the warm summer months. I guess last year was so amazing work wise that I’m worried this year will be different - even though I see no reason why that should happen, and to a certain extent I can control my own destiny in that respect. So what has caused my PCD? Christmas magicChristmas Day was brilliant, and was everything I’d hoped it would be. Surprisingly, I wasn’t nervous, just excited and eager to get on air - I could hardly sleep on Christmas Eve, and for the first time since I was a child, I awoke on Christmas morning heady with anticipation and exhilaration for the day ahead. It was magical. The show went without a hitch and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Initial feedback from family and friends was encouraging (although they are predisposed to be particularly biased!), and I feel I did the best job I could. The following week passed in a blur of sleeping, eating and socialising (see picture with novelty moustache), culminating in a New Year’s Eve murder mystery dinner party that saw us dressed to the nines as 1920s gangsters and molls. It was an event we had looked forward to for weeks, and everyone had a fantastic night, so I guess it was only natural that the days to follow would be slightly dreary in comparison. I’ve been encouraged to hear I’m not the only one to be suffering from PCD - apparently it’s an affliction that affects millions of people every year and the initial prognosis is that recovery is usually swift, and can be aided by the arrangement of future social events such as parties and holidays. Looking forwardJoking aside, I know I’m lucky. I’ve had the most amazing year in 2006, although it hasn’t always been plain sailing - I’ve worked very hard and I never take anything, or anybody, for granted. I do have an awful lot to look forward to in the coming months, including a new baby nephew, being a bridesmaid, and (hopefully) continuing the success of last year career-wise. I realise that wishing it was still Christmas is A - very futile, B - very childish, and C - very sad. But at the risk of sounding old before my time, Christmas Day for me was everything I’d hoped it would be and then more, and I know I’ll always look back on Christmas 2006 with fondness… And anyway, Christmas surely isn’t over until you’ve eaten all the leftover mountains of food… anybody for Twiglets and eggnog? See Rachel's previous job logs: |
