How Will You Spend the Holidays?
I read an article the other day that really hit home for me and compelled me to share my thoughts on the subject as well. The Holidays are coming fast and furious and with that comes all sorts of emotions.
Are you excited with anticipation or groaning in despair?
Are you happy, sad, joyful, anxious, angry or any other one of the twenty-seven emotional categories that humans can experience? Yes, I get it! The Holidays can be all of these things!
Events have a way of repeating themselves until someone is brave enough to break the cycle. You all know the saying “Doing what you’ve always done and expecting a different result is insanity,” right? Well, continuing to participate in traditions, rituals, get-togethers, etc., in the name of keeping the peace is umm, frankly, in my humble opinion… bull shit! And believe me, I’ve spent most of my life doing all those things!
Are you once again spending the holidays miserable doing the same old thing? Why? You, and only you, have the power within you to change it!
Are you taking care of yourself or are you giving yourself carte blanche to go hog wild eating and drinking unhealthily until you physically feel the effects even though you have been taking very good care of yourself and feeling great? Or normally you don’t over indulge, but this time of year you do, whether you are making a conscious choice of doing it or not? Well, that used to be me, for sure.
This year, though, I'm doing things differently.
Instead of drowning any emotions in food and drink I’m going to double my efforts to stay happy, do only the things that bring me joy and keep me healthy and feeling good physically.
Are you still being invited to holiday gatherings where your heart is no longer in it and you desperately crave something different? Overspending, buying gifts and people-pleasing just for the sake of not upsetting anyone? I like to make people happy, myself, but no longer at the expense of my own self. And instead of feeling like you are disappointing others, remind them to notice what’s important in their life by honoring what’s important in your own!
We all have the power to choose.
These past couple of years have been like nothing most of us have ever seen in our lifetime. After all of this are you really going to choose things that don’t bring you joy? Not me! I choose life, my life and this year, I choose me! Wishing each and every one of you a joyous Holiday Season!
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(She/Her)
The gal behind Held In The Heart. The Community Journal is a space for those who feel deeply to express freely. We explore all sorts of things here, from the real & raw healing stories & creative writing, to the funny & fleeting moments of everyday human life. I warmly welcome you and invite you to explore with us!