The holiday season is supposed to come with cheer but so often that cheer is blemished with an overwhelming sense of dread and foreboding. This may because you are seeing family for the first time in 'too long' or maybe you are hosting and worry things won't be just right. This is a challenge that is not spoken of enough.
Social Media shows you the joys and movies make humor out of things that are your waking nightmares. Maybe you don't feel you have enough because society has told you that you have to give give give. Don't have enough time. Don't have enough energy. Don't have enough food. Don't have enough money.
Were there times in your life where you enjoyed the holidays? If so, why? What changed? If not, why? What was missing? What would you like to change? What needs to be different? Is this change realistic? Is this something you want to work to implement this year or is this a long term goal?
Think about what YOU want the holidays to look like, to feel like. What needs to happen to cultivate that for you. If some of the wish is out of your control, how can you notice that and work to accept it. We can't make someone else talk more or less or smile authentically. We need to find things within our control. It may be walking away from an unwanted conversation because you 'need the bathroom' (aka you need a moment to yourself). There are so many small changes we can make to make the season more bearable or even enjoyable. The change starts with you.