Navigating Holiday Highs and Lows
It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is coming up this Thursday and the holiday season is upon us once again. Filled with Christmas music, shopping, gift-giving, New Years’ Eve parties, get-togethers, and time with friends & family.
While it can be a fun and cheerful time, many can see it as a difficult and stressful time, with a to-do list 5 miles long. Sometimes it can be difficult for people to cope as it’s also easy to fall in to the habit of comparing yourself to others. Comparing what others received for gifts this year, how many parties one gets to enjoy with loved ones, fearing what you bought someone is not “good enough”, comparing levels of happiness that you see in others around the office, putting yourself down that you didn’t reach the goals you planned on reaching by years’ end, or even comparing what gifts you are able to put under the Christmas tree this year. It is important to be sure to put your self-care high on the priority list amongst all the others.
How are you giving back to yourself? This doesn’t have to have a price tag on it. Is it 30 minutes of alone time after a long day at work? Is it enjoying your favorite soda pop while you put your feet up and watch Wheel of Fortune? If you are struggling this time of year, tell yourself that you will get through this. That the kids will not be young forever, that the gift you bought is amazing and the recipient will love it, that you are loved and that YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH! Find something this time of year that brings you happiness, satisfaction, and a sense of self-worth. Here are a few activities that you can do for yourself, or encourage a loved one to do as well!!
Gratitude
Engaging in regular gratitude can help change your perspective if you are caught in continual comparison to others and trying to keep up with the Joneses. Take a few minutes each day to write down 4 good things about your day. You can keep this in a journal by your bedside, in a memo app on your phone, or even make small slips of paper and keep a Gratitude Jar on your kitchen table. Your gratitude can be big or small, whether it’s the oatmeal your husband made for you for breakfast this morning, the friendly pat on the back you received at work, or getting through a difficult challenge you’ve faced in your life.
Positive Affirmations
I am a firm believer in the power of positive affirmations, for myself and my clients! It doesn’t fix everything, but it can make you feel better about yourself, your situation, and help turn around your mindset. It has gotten me through many uncomfortable situations, anxiety-provoking presentations, and instills more confidence! Come up with your fight-song. Words that you can tell yourself every day to build your self-confidence and make you feel “good-enough” as you are. Type it out, set it on your nightstand, tape it to your mirror, put it next to your computer screen. The more you reinforce your fight-song, the more it will help you.
Compliments Journal
Try a new habit to give yourself 3 compliments each day. Find something that you do well, name it, and say it out loud. Putting a name on positive qualities about yourself and your life can do wonders! Do you like your new haircut? Do you like the way your shirt fits? Does your smile light up a room? Are you smarter than the average Joe? Focus on your positive sides, and it will be easier to find them more often and focus less on the negative side that you likely compare to others.
