If you struggle with anxiety, the holiday season can be a time of high stress. There are gifts to buy, decorations to hang, traditions to follow, and people to please. This can lead to worries and tension about doing things ‘right’.
This desire to do things ‘right’ is mentally and physically exhausting.
This particular season may be different for you. Maybe you are not seeing family this year. Maybe your holiday party is canceled. Maybe you skipped a few traditions because it has just been too exhausting.
Remember that there is not a universal ‘right’ way to celebrate. Cut yourself some slack and be okay with whatever level of holiday you can do this year. If that means doing more because the season brings you joy, great. If that means doing less, because it has just been a hard year, then choose less.
Be okay with an okay holiday. If there is disappointment mingled in with the ‘happy’ holidays, that is fine.
We live close to extended family, but we are not able to see them because of health concerns. My small family of five is celebrating alone for the first time ever. We made a list of fun at-home Christmas activities and are focusing on that this year. It’s very different than our normal traditions, there is some disappointment, but overall, we are going to have a happy holiday.
Wishing you all the same.
