How to Survive the Holiday Season

As we head into the holiday season, we have a chance to transform our usual holiday hustle into something magical. Picture one grand experience made up of all those little moments of happiness, connection, and self-discovery. What if you took a moment to think about how you can make this season a true reflection of who you are? Maybe it’s about creating a cozy space in your heart where the holiday chaos can’t touch you, or perhaps it’s about connecting more deeply with the people around you. 
​

This month, I'll be sharing holiday tips that I hope will not only help you survive the holiday season, but also create the one you most want to experience this year.
​

Time Change

​How are you?

I am hip deep in Christmas gift planning and have already bought a gift or two for each person on my list. So I am definitely ready to talk about holiday survival, in all ways.

But first, I wanted to check in with you. How’s it going?

Did you survive the dreaded changing of the clocks? They trick with that extra hour of sleep, hoping you won’t notice how they are taking away your sun. 😉 But I notice!!

One tip that you might helpful, and I try to do this myself, is to align yourself with the change in whatever way you need.

This week, I am waking up slowly (as usual) but making sure I don’t sleep in. My hope is that I will get everything done that I need to do during the day, so that I can stop around the time the sun goes down.

My plan is to then start the evening coziness, and I’m thinking about shifting my candle time to the evenings. A little light in the darkness.
​
Okay, here is the main thing I want to say about the holiday season, followed by my other suggestions.

3 Holiday Survival Tips

​(1) Choose your gifts thoughtfully and with love, but wisely.

​I have a friend who goes all out during the holiday season, just like my mother did when I was younger. And for a while, I felt like that’s what I should be doing.

​But this year, what I want most is peace! So I am listening to my heart and my body, and if I don’t feel the peace, then I know it’s too much.
​

(2) Watch carefully what you do with your time.

I love these two months of Christmas, not just for Hallmark holiday movies, but also because I dress myself in some degree of Christmas wear every time I leave the house.

But I pay attention to how often I leave the house. I have a chronic illness and can’t afford to wear myself out.
​

(3) Set boundaries, both with yourself and others.

A lot of feelings get stirred up during the holiday season, and sometimes that makes people forget where you drew the lines. Sometimes, you forget, too.
​
Identify what you need to feel grounded and centered, and set those boundaries for yourself.

​Then, from that grounded place, you’ll be more likely to notice when someone says or does something that is unkind, inconsiderate or manipulative, and when you do, say something immediately.

​Gently, but firmly. Years ago, I heard Oprah mention that she says things like, “that doesn’t work for me.”

​And I sometimes hold up my hand like it’s a stop sign. “I’m gonna stop you right there...” 😉

More Holiday Tips this Month

​This month, I’ve got a few more ideas to share (hopefully, weekly, but we’ll see.) And then next month, I am participating in a bundle and my offering is all about making the most of the holidays.
​
What do you find most challenging about the holiday season?
​
See you next time!

Love, Jeanine

​