3 quick notes before the holiday madness begins
I wanted to send you three quick notes before the holiday madness begins (if you celebrate Christmas) and you get ready to close out 2023 and start 2024:
1. It's ok to put your differences aside during family gatherings.
Here is what I mean: Nobody's family is perfect and I know that holidays can be tricky for many people. Maybe you're anxious to encounter a particular sibling, parent, uncle or family friend? Maybe there is an unresolved conflict? Maybe there is tension with an in-law?
But, remember this:
→ You don't have to hash out conflicts during the holidays. If it needs to be addressed, you can agree to put whatever happened to the side for a few days and pick it up again (if it needs to be picked up) later.
→ It's ok for people to have different opinions and perspectives. You don't have to convince someone of yours.
→ You can show kindness to someone you find annoying without over-committing to their presence.
2. If you're the goal setter/ New Year's resolutions type, remember that you cannot just keep on piling more things on your to-do list without taking some other things off.
No well-intentioned, new habit will stick if you don't make room for it. By creating boundaries or letting go of some other habits, you extend an invitation for new habits and opportunities.
Think about this:
→ What do you want to let go off?
→ What do you want to stop doing?
→ What habits are no longer serving you but are just cluttering your life, keep you distracted and frazzled?
3. Do an honest check-in with yourself.
Over the last few months, many of us have felt an overwhelming sadness about the state of the world. Many of us worry, feel anxious and have a hard time balancing the pain we witness while also trying to cultivate joy in our own lives (I'm referring to joy as a form of positive energy that fuels you in your daily life and prevents you from burning out).
As this year is coming to an end soon, I want to encourage you to take a little bit of time to come back home to yourself and ground into who you really are.
Here are some ideas:
→ Spend a little bit of time alone in quiet and just see what comes up for you when you give yourself a little bit of space to breathe and just be.
→ Journal about what went well for you this year? What you are proud of? And what didn't go as planned and why?
→ Go on a walk and think about how you are feeling about yourself, the person you have become this last year? What does it feel like to be you? Meet yourself where you are.
Sending you loads of love ❤️ and, if you celebrate it, a very merry Christmas.
Warmly,
Caroline
