“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”
– Voltaire
Yes, you already have enough on your to-do list, and I’ve blessed you with 3 articles to read on the joys and tribulations of the Holiday Season. I do recommend them for their simplicity and the tips offered, which if you choose, you can incorporate and make this Holiday Season a most joyous and grateful one.
If you care to read 2 or more of the articles, you will note that there are areas of commonality. For many the holidays of November and December bring forth feelings of loneliness, financial stress, togetherness either too much or too little, excess of drink and food, not to mention the exhaustion of doing too much.
There are many ways to deal with all these stressors, as made available to us in the articles. However, I believe that the ones that are the most important and the most difficult for many, especially women, to do is to set boundaries and take time out for self-care.
How do you go about doing this? The first step starts with first identifying what your needs are, followed by those of your immediate family. Second, what boundaries need to be put in place for the benefit of yourself and all whom you encounter during this season of joy?
Often, we believe we are being honest with ourselves; however, this is not always so and never easy. And never mind the guilt feelings encouraged by others who want you to be selfless to their selfishness. It is essential to your well-being and those around you that you do not ignore making the time to take 5 minutes daily to connect with your own heart during these holidays. Write down any new ideas for how you can make adjustments to this year’s holiday season as well as those you need to prepare to implement next year.
A great reminder of self-care is presented to us every time we fly; first put the oxygen mask on yourself before you attempt to help others. Remember that more is simply more! Make time to slow your life down by even as little as one less activity a day. This will allow you to savor the moments and reconnect with the essential meaning of the holidays: CONNECTION and GRATITUDE
When you can connect with people, you are made aware of your humanness with all its strengths, frailties, and all the qualities in between and will come to appreciate all that you are and have. I believe that connection leads us to feel grateful for all the blessings we are usually too busy to remember.
My tips are to slow down, reflect, reconnect and BE present during this holiday season and take heartfelt actions to create the life you want. You have and are the POWER to live your best life!