The holiday season is here and many of us are feeling pretty darn Bah Humbug. We’re stressing about what we’re making and baking, how to decorate our home, how to manage family dynamics, and what we should get our various “loved ones” for Christmas. Let’s face it: the holidays can be more stressful than enjoyable. Grab some time and space for your self. Power up your Journal write now. Pick any or all of these categories:
1. Triggers
Think about what factors in particular cause stress for you around the holiday season. Is it hosting a dinner or party? Is it worrying about family members getting along? Is it juggling your finances? There are a lot of contributing factors that can cause anxiety around the holiday season. If you can identify what specifically triggers your stress, you can start to look for solutions. For example, if you normally host an extravagant holiday dinner party and money is tight this year, you can brainstorm alternative ideas, like hosting a potluck dinner or scaled back cocktail party. I’m sure your Journal will have all kinds of ideas.
2. Family Members
The holidays are often the one time of year you get to spend time with family from near and far. This can feel like a mixed blessing sometimes. You may have a few family members who get on your nerves or cause anxiety when you are in close quarters. Before you see your family this year, take some time with your journal and write about each person you will see. Write down their names. Then, next to each name, write down what actions, personality traits, etc. are most likely to upset you. After that, you can begin journal writing about confronting and dealing these feelings of anger, stress, or animosity. Look for ways to accept and process these feelings before your family gathering, and you’re guaranteed a happier and more carefree experience. When you’re done sorting through your negative feelings, do the same exercise, but this time, focus on the positive about each person. What about your family members makes you feel happy, relaxed, or loved? I’m sure your Journal is at the ready to help you out with this biggie.
3. Memories
Although the holidays can cause stress, they can also lead to great happiness. Take some time leading up to the peak of the holiday season for journal writing to reminisce about holidays past. What are your fondest holiday memories? How old were you? Where were you? Who were you with? What were you doing? Why do these particular memories stick out in your mind? While you’re reflecting on these memories, try to remember what the holidays are truly about: giving and being thankful. Just today, my Journal reminded me of my Mom’s homemade donuts and I remembered I still have some boxes of holiday pictures…time to bring them out for a few laughs.
Our “Stress Free Holidays” eWorkbook works well with your Journal and it’s now 20% off. Just enter STRESSFREE at checkout and you’ve taken the first step to your best holiday season ever. WriteON!
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