The holidays are a frantic time for most of us. Although it's supposed to be joyful it's also often filled with stress, guilt, and anger. Self care is always important, but especially so at this time of year. This five part series will look at various ways we can take care of ourselves over the next five weeks. Today's post is about how to make sure you have a holiday.
Now that I've talked about making time for yourself, identifying stressful patterns that you fall into, and strategies for surviving time with your family I think it's important to takes steps to make sure that you have a holiday. The season is about giving which is a wonderful thing. Making something special for someone else, whether it's giving them a physical gift, cooking them a meal, or spending time with them doing something they like, can leave you feeling amazing. But it's your holiday too, and relying on others to make it special for you can backfire.
If you have people in your life you do things for you that make you happy and make the holiday special that is awesome. But not everyone does. What's more I think there are many people who find it easier to give than to receive. I know it is for me. I can guess what might delight someone and set about making that happen, but revealing to other people what would delight me is not easy. I find it hard to explain and define what those things are. It's a lot easier to just do it myself.
So, I make sure that I do. I make sure that I have time to do the things that make the holidays special to me. Wrapping presents while watching Pitch Perfect. Listening to Christmas music every day in the car. Sharing a bagel with garlic cream cheese and orange juice with my dad on Christmas morning before presents. Driving around to look at the Christmas lights in my neighborhood on Christmas Eve Eve.
Everyone has different things that float their boat. So while you are running around making things special for those that you love, don't forget to include yourself. And if those things involve others, speak up. Tell people what you want and ask for help to make it happen. That way everyone gets to have a holiday.
Drop a comment below and tell me what are some of your favorite holiday activities.
Photo by Sophia Dunkin-Hubby