Why does writing Christmas cards seem so hard this year?

I'm trying to get started on the annual Christmas card list, and struggling. Why? I am a bit unwell currently, but even if I were fully fit, I suspect I would find it a bit of a chore. I choose to write bits of news for each person, rather than write a standard newsletter to insert, so immediately it becomes harder, or at least more time-consuming. Outside, the sky is grey, and wintry showers threaten, and here I am, writing to family and friends in sunny climes such as New Zealand, Australia, and California. I find myself feeling wistful for the antipodean summer, or autumn, even. We had such a lovely trip to New Zealand in April, it's inevitable I am wishing I was somewhere else just now. Yorkshire Dales or New Zealand in December? If we had a free choice...