For many people, the advent of autumn heralds the start of a
stressful holiday season. From November to January, we feel pressured to be
wonderful hosts, entertain scores of loved ones, and remain calm amid chaos.
Yet much of the tension we feel during the holidays is a direct result of our
own expectations. In our efforts to please others and to craft the ultimate
celebration, we overextend ourselves and miss out on the spirit of the
season. This year, consider transforming your approach to your celebrations.
Instead of striving for perfection, endeavor to enjoy the treats that only
come once a year, the company of family and friends, and the little
unexpected occurrences that make each holiday unique. Before you begin your
whirlwind of seasonal preparations, ask yourself what aspects of each holiday
are most important to you and what holiday-related goals you hope to achieve
this year.
As the holiday season draws nearer, resolving to give up your dreams of
perfection can help you avoid anxiety. If you strive to have a good holiday,
you can take charge of arrangements without feeling that your loved ones'
happiness is resting on your shoulders. Try to remember that you are unique,
which means that your holiday experience need not conform to that of your
parents, your neighbors, or the simulated families you see in the media.
Understand that you cannot please everyone. After all, what the people you
care about likely want most during the holiday season is your time and
attention. Allow yourself to decline invitations without guilt and to serve
store-bought foods rather than homemade dishes if it means you get more time
to relax in the company of friends and family.
If stress strikes, remember that holidays encompass but a few days out of
each year. Enjoying those few days is often a matter of identifying your
motives and shifting gears if necessary. Ask yourself whether your quest for
perfection is a matter of impressing others or gathering the people you care
about around you in celebration. A year from now, you'll have only a handful
of vivid memories to look back on. If you take a realistic and heartfelt view
of the holidays, you'll be sure to remember them fondly.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment