IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE HOLIDAY FRENZY! I’m not sure how the big Thanksgiving and Christmas “machine” clicks in but it does! And it does so earlier and earlier each year. You can tell by high energy commercials on TV and radio and every form of social media/internet advertisements! It’s everywhere. The problem is most or at least many people are hooked/seduced by it all.
And the seduction detracts from the joy and pleasure of spending quality time with the people you love and care about. What are the reasons people are doing the following:
–cutting short Thanksgiving time with family and friends to go stand (some even sleep) in lines waiting for stores to open to SELL things
–driving fast and rushing absolutely everywhere
–feeling and behaving in more irritable ways while standing in line or just being out shopping for groceries
–feeling irritable with people all around you
–spending too much money
–rushing around to send Christmas cards and year end letters to people you haven’t been in touch with for MONTHS
–buying gifts because you feel obligated or that it’s expected
–losing your ability to say no to invitations to parties and functions you truly don’t want to attend
–eating and drinking too much because of all the above
What if instead, you took some deep breaths, cut your speed by about 80% and became a little more reflective about what you do, when you do it, the choices about the people with WHOM you do what you do — what if you focus on what the holidays truly mean to you and reflect on and maybe even learn from the wide variety of ways others celebrate. I know people who never buy gifts for family and friends. Think of all the shopping time and stress you’d save!! Some, instead only give gifts they have made. Some give no gifts at all and spend holiday time quietly and joyfully on family outings, vacations; dinner gatherings with people they love hanging out with; others who make financial contributions to charities; volunteer time to feed the homeless; find families in need of food and clothing and make sure those individuals enjoy the holidays; entertain friends and family in ways that give them time to talk, enjoy one another, and celebrate the connections that enrich our lives.
IF you think these suggestions take the fun out of what you do on holidays, pay zero attention to everything I’ve said except ONE thing: as you do what you like/love/or traditionally do around holidays — regardless — do whatever you do mindfully. Pay attention. Be IN the experience. Be thoughtful/conscious/joyful in the process. Think about the people you are buying gifts for or hanging out with….. and if you feel stressed or resentful at any point in the process, check that out with yourself! AND please go SLOW. OKAY that was way more than one thing! And have a safe and joyful holiday season.