Crush Holiday Anxiety - 4 WAys to make the holiday season meaningful

Do you struggle with anxiety during the holiday season? Do you find it challenging to manage family dynamics and friend obligations? You are not alone.

1) What brings you meaning. Find your WHY

For those with mixed holiday memories, the desire for comfort and familiarity is strong. We often recreate holiday symbols as adults to spark joy within, but this can lead to disappointment when reality doesn't match expectations. Capitalism can steer focus away from true values of connections. Assess your traditions. Do the office gift exchanges foster connection? Are they a substitute for real intimacy? Do they align with your values, or do you feel obligated? Define your values and the goal for gather. Identify what is source of joy and what parts of the traditions the are no longer helpful .

2) Express your values and boundaries

Now, the fun part. Once you've clarified your values, communicate them. Often, holiday tensions arise from unspoken expectations within family and friends. What are you open to and what are you not willing to engage in? Consider what aligns with your energy and capacity, including financial and emotional aspects. Setting boundaries might feel selfish if you haven't done so before, but letting people know what truly brings you joy and feels meaningful can reduce stress and eliminate the need for mind-reading. Once you lead by example, it becomes possible to explore how others wish to celebrate. Instead of receiving presents from Grandma, you might ask for contributions to your child's college fund. Rather than participating in a group gift exchange, you can be someone who values creating meaningful memories and propose opting for a group activity instead of gifts. When you start with your "why," it allows for negotiation and meaningful conversations to take place.

3) Make time to connect with yourself

Take a moment to open your calendars. Schedule time for yourself. It could be those quiet evenings reclined with a glass of wine or a winter hike in solitude. The holiday season can trigger feelings of shame or blame for those who cherish their alone time or lean toward introversion. Remember, only YOU can advocate your well-being. If excessive human interaction triggers anxiety, ensure you reserve space in your calendar for personal recuperation. It doesn't imply cutting off loved ones, but it means being discerning about how much energy you allocate, with whom, and what holds meaning. Engaging in solitary activities or sharing moments with a chosen, intimate group can be equally nourishing. Contemplate the amount of downtime required during your time off and how much recovery time is needed to navigate intense family dynamics. When you acknowledge the value of meeting your own needs, you also encourage your loved ones to do the same.. 

4) Sprinkle Intentions to Gatherings

This one comes for Priya Parker. Please read her book. Priya emphasizes the importance of infusing intentionality into gatherings by encouraging reflection and identifying moments of focus. During the gathering, it's essential to inquire about our collective identity, our purpose for being there, and the overarching goals of the gathering.

See this post for a snippet of the interview. 

This deliberate approach to gatherings distinguishes between uninspiring obligations and meaningful interactions where individuals can truly feel acknowledged and authentic connections can flourish.

If you still struggle with hefty order and are looking for a change on how to you navigate relationships, feel free to book a 1:1 clarity call.

May the brightness of the season uplift you, and may you greet the darkness with tenderness

Yours in wellness,

Shaila