Holiday Survival Tip: Rest
December 4, 2024
It is a holiday season, a time for joy. It is also a difficult time with division, and violence in the news daily. Tapping into joy is an act of resilience. Joy is a deeper emotion than happiness or delight. It has roots of meaning and wonder. To find joy this holiday season tune in to what matters most to you. Use your insight to shape your holidays in a way that works for you and your family.
As you think over your holiday traditions, double down on the things that matter to you and explore new options as you go. Focus your time and energy on activities and relationships that increase joy for you and your family.
Decorating
Lights, trees, wreaths and banners, there are so many ways to decorate. You can hang a wreath on the door, put up a menorah, or transform every single room in your house. The range of options is huge. Pull out those things that connect you to your heritage and make you feel happier at home. Put up outside lights and inflatables if you find it fun. Or fluff up your favorite blanket and spend your energy elsewhere. Decorate as much or as little as brings you joy.
Gift Giving
It is fun to put a smile on someone’s face with something they want or need. Gift giving can be complicated by marketing messages, budgets, and expectations. It helps to remember that the true source of joy is the connection between you, not the item you make or buy. Talking about expectations in advance can help reduce the stress. If planning, shopping, and wrapping bring you joy – gift away. If not, talk with those in your life about how you can show your appreciation of one another in other ways.
Events
When you look at your holiday schedule which events or gatherings bring you joy? Concerts and services, parties and open houses, holiday lights and visitors can crowd December calendars. Add in travel and you can’t do it all. Which events and gatherings do you find meaningful? Slow down and delight in those. Find joy in the things you can do and be present in those moments. Be clear with others if you can’t make their event rather than a half-hearted, “I’ll see if I can make it.” Appreciate what fits in your schedule and let go of the rest.
Music
Tune in to what brings you joy. Make music with friends and family. Replay the video of the preschool pageant. Or step outside and listen to the world go by. I will be listening to Christmas carols sung in German, it brings me great joy as that is how I first learned them. Music has the power to change your mood and connect you with others.
In the midst of darkness, there is joy. This is the wonder. This holiday season notice what brings you joy and pause to appreciate it. Share your wonder and love with others. Decorate in a way that makes you smile, focus on the connection in gift giving, revel in the events that bring you peace or fun, and feel the music that speaks to you. Let go of expectations that someone else will make your holiday magic. Find your own joy and share it with others, this is resilience in action.
Peace,
Laura A. Gaines
Holiday Stress Release Session: I am offering a special kind of coaching session this season – for the same cost as a one-hour coaching session I will do a 90-minute listening session. A confidential, no judgement time allowing you to fully express yourself and come up with next steps. Sessions are by phone or zoom, the the cost is $100 payable in advance by paypal, venmo or cashapp. To schedule, click the button below.
