Self Care: Holiday Edition
Oh, ‘Tis the Season! Another year of holiday cheer has arrived. I hope everyone can find comfort and happiness during this season. However, that does not mean that it is all fun and joy. Unfortunately, this time of year can be extremely exhausting, stressful and even sad. This might not be the most popular angle to approach, but it’s real.
The holidays are spent with the people you love the most. So, if you have lost loved ones this can be extremely difficult. Allow yourself to embrace these emotions and make an effort to honor them in the best way you see fit. Our loved ones who are missed can be honored through personal or more public gestures. Let this be as simple as lighting a candle before family dinner or making a donation in remembrance of them. You get to decide what fills your heart and keeps spirits high.
The hostess with the mostess is working overtime. Whether you are offering to host or being persuaded to host, you have a big task at hand. Making sure that a group of people, who all have different tastes and needs can be challenging. But, you can streamline this process with a little preparation. Analyze your crowd and make sure there is enough of something for everyone. By having different options, you can ensure that no one will be left behind. Hosting is about giving, you give your time, effort and personal touch. So, make it warm and inviting but make it you! The best part of hosting is that you get to add your personal flare to everything and provide a space for memories to be made! So, make the most of it! Don’t stress if the dishes aren’t washed right away, realize that your guests may have different needs than you and make it fun! Mission accomplished.
Like I said, the holidays are usually spent with loved ones. Unfortunately, many of you have loved ones scattered about. Divorced parents, siblings all over, grandparents in different cities, the list goes on and on. A personal struggle of mine is feeling like I need to be in 10 places at once during the holiday season. To have love flying at you from every direction is a privilege indeed, however this sometimes comes at a cost, to your mental well-being. I always feel tremendous guilt because I cannot see everyone at the same time, for the same amount of time. Whether it is intentional or not (hopefully not) family and friends can cause you to feel guilt, but it is your job to shut that down. You must set boundaries and define your plans for the holidays because you can only spread yourself so thin. So, if your new step dad’s parents’ great grandchild is having a Christmas concert that you are feeling forced to go, say NO. This is your time and it is valuable. Say yes to things that will bring you happiness and no to the things that you are on the fence about. If you keep saying yes, people will keep expecting you to say yes.
So, I challenge you and myself, to love others and ourselves this holiday season. In the midst of the gift giving, travel, over indulging and rejoicing, make it a personal goal to put your phone down and interact. Start new traditions and carry on the ones that you love. Cheers and Happy Holidays! xoxo