We’re in the thick of it now, aren’t we? We’ve had our fair share of Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday discounts and truthfully, isn’t it all a little too much anyway? When all is said and done, we know that today’s BEST deal will be improved upon tomorrow!
And besides, the stress of the holiday season can be just too much.
My girls and I are very blessed to have a “pod” comprised of family and friends that we get to see and with whom we can share the joys of the holiday season. Even with that, sometimes finding the peace and grace to “handle” the holidays can be a challenge.
Here are my three tips on how to be your best self during the holiday season. They work for me and perhaps they can work for you as well.
Do as much as you can do and don’t beat yourself up because you didn’t do more.
Too many of us try to do too much, myself included. We attempt to be all things to all people, and very often the person we overlook is ourselves. Burn-out is real and to make certain you don’t fall victim you should pace yourself accordingly. Think about where you have some “wiggle room” and take advantage of it. Buy cookies, don’t bake. Order in and don’t make the meal from scratch. Use a Virtual Assistant for some of your business endeavors that can suck up too much of your time and aren’t mission-critical. Step back from your situation and think about what you can do to ease your burden and don’t keep piling on more.
Be gentle and understanding when dealing with friends and family. They have their own burdens.
Sure, the holidays are joyous, but they can be stressful as well. Too much to do, uncertainty about what presents to buy, and concerns about finances can bring some people to the breaking point. Words may be spoken that should have been squelched, and tempers may flare, but the best thing to do is attempt to ride it out and maintain your equilibrium. Don’t escalate the situation even if it takes a good deal of effort to stay calm. In my case, I reward myself for my fortitude. A glass of wine anyone?
Always remember the things for which you should be grateful
Be grateful. It sounds easy doesn’t it, but many find it even easier to complain about what they don’t have, rather than be thankful for what they do have. Your home, easy access to clean water, food on the table, health, a loving family, a job that keeps you happy, and any or all combinations of these things should help to change the trajectory of your emotions when you find yourself feeling low. I’m not suggesting that it’s easy especially during tough times, however, I am saying that with effort, you may be able to control your thoughts and hence your mood, as well. Trust me, I know that it can be tough!
I’m hoping that you find these suggestions to be beneficial. They’ve helped me quite a bit and I hope they help you too.
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