“Focusing on the stress of the holiday season blinds you to the gifts. Don’t be blinded.” ~LMB
Holidays can be a tremendous trigger for stress. You’re worried about getting everything done, having family members get along, cooking a great meal, etc. Balancing this with managing work, home, and outside interests adds another layer to an already busy life. Before you know it, you realize you’re getting more annoyed than excited. You start to become anxious about the in-laws coming over, your siblings, or (fill in the blank) and focus on the potential fights rather than the celebrations. The more you think about it, the more the holidays become another thing to do to check off your list. The dinners and presents become financial burdens rather than expressions of caring, and you start feeling more like Grumpy of the seven dwarfs than thankful for the gifts around you.
Getting stressed by the holiday season is the antithesis of what the holidays are about. Holidays are not about cooking the perfect meal or decorating your table and home in a way worthy of awards. They’re not about buying expensive gifts or hosting the most fantastic family gathering ever. Holidays are a time to pause and be grateful. They’re a time for us to slow down, not speed up.
This holiday season, take the time to slow down. Savor the excellent food, appreciate the great friends, and soak in the crazy, wild, loving family connections. Take the time to turn away from work and turn toward love, connection, and laughter. Take the time to be grateful.
Challenge: Amid the chaos, slow down to soak in the gifts. You are alive—that is a gift. Embrace all that life has to offer this holiday season and celebrate it. Don’t stress about it.
