Simple Ways I’m Finding My Peace and Joy this Holiday Season
The holidays come with a lot.. A lot of busyness and a lot of expectations to be wonderful. When we feel all that pressure it can make it difficult to actually enjoy them and experience joy. I created a list of simple ways I find peace and joy, in hopes to help you find some too :)
I hope it gives you a few ideas to implement this holiday season.
Prioritizing
Identifying what’s most important to me this season, and making that happen first. From the simple things, to big things like travel.
This often looks like making sure I cut back on other things, to allow me more time for the simple things I enjoy. Watching holiday movies, cookie baking, snowy walks with coffee, and family time.
2. Presence and connection, over perfection.
I’m choosing to let go of how something “should” look or be, to help give me more physical and mental time to be present and connect. I want to be present with those around me and feel connected with them. When I start to notice I’m festering and ruminating on this perfect image of what we should be doing, I try to challenge myself to let that go and accept the reality of what something is. I help myself do this by asking, “what’s most important to me?” And for me, that’s coming back to the simple moments with my family. This doesn’t mean I can’t buy, celebrate, or go big in the areas I want. It is making sure those things don’t overtake presence and connection. That I know my limits and do it until it doesn’t feel good.
3. Letting go of expectations.
The holidays come with expectations from everyone, including ourselves. I like to step back and recognize all the pressure and expectations I’m feeling, to help me call them out and challenge them if needed. To recognize which ones are real and should be taken into consideration, and which ones I can release and let go of. It’s impossible to meet everyone’s expectations. When I accept this and let go of the responsibility to uphold them, I feel freedom to enjoy the holidays for what they are.
4. Keep my boundaries.
I try to identify what my boundaries are for the holiday season. With my time, emotions, relationships, money, energy, etc.
It’s easy to feel pressure and guilt, and then give into things and people that push our boundaries. When we give in and let other things push our boundaries, we can feel like we are not staying true to ourselves and this can cause us to feel increased frustration, irritability, and conflict. I encourage clients to know their boundaries and what they are willing to compromise, without compromising what’s most important to them. Without compromising their values and self for others.
5. Giving and Finding Purpose Outside of Myself.
Most years I try to find a way to give outside of myself, to remind myself of humanity, human kindness, and putting into perspective all that I truly have. I’m not wealthy, but I live a comfortable and safe life, where I don’t lack basic necessities. What a gift. Sometimes we can forget this, especially during the holiday time when all the ads are popping up to remind us of what we need. Practical ways we do this is by adopting a family or child, where we take time to buy their wishlist, donate time, or resources to help them have a better holiday season. This greatly helps me put into perspective the holiday season is truly about. It also helps get me outside of my head, which sometimes is very helpful (in balance). Obviously I think it’s VERY important to take time to self reflect, process and do internal work; however, too much of this can become unproductive. Sometimes we need to go outside of ourselves to lessen the intensity of our own situation.
6. Finding Moments of Stillness, Mindfulness, and Gratitude.
I try to do this all year long, but there is something about the holiday time and as we start to narrow in on the end of a year that causes me to want to find moments to sit, reflect, and take in all that has happened throughout the year. Sometimes this can be bittersweet and hard, but also helpful. It helps me to connect with myself, the very moment I have, and find gratitude despite all the hard moments I’ve lived throughout this year. I think it’s very helpful and even healing to learn to recognize the hardships, while also holding space for gratitude. Because that is life. Hard and beautiful, all at the same time. It’s complicated.
The holidays can be a wonderful time to experience joy, love, and connection. However, they can also be a very difficult time. I hope these simple and practical ways give you ideas on how to find your own peace and joy this holiday season.
What do you do to enjoy the holidays? I’d love to hear! Drop a comment below or send me a message. :)