The Holidays. Turkey. Stuffing. Cranberries. Pumpkin Pie. Chaos. Tears. Anger. Old Resentment. Yummy.

Sound familiar?

I always wished the Holidays were like the movies or at least ended like the movies. A big warm house with everyone coming to an agreement. Singing, dancing, hugging. This usually only happens after a few bottles of wine and the old hurt comes back the next morning with a nasty hangover. Not so yummy.

It is so important to really care for ourselves during the Holidays. Often times people have limits and boundaries to what they are willing to endure over the year and then get slapped in the face by a turkey leg (literally or figuratively) when things haven’t changed and old wounds come to the surface.

How do we care for ourselves in the midst of the emotional chaos? Here are a few ideas.

1. When it’s time to go, it’s time to go. Stay for a time but cut out early. Don’t wait for the drama to erupt. You can read about it on your cousin’s Facebook page in a few hours.

2. Drop the expectations. Expectations lead to disappointment. Disappointment leads to a whole host of other bad feelings.

3. Set limits to the conversations you don’t want to be a part of. If your mother starts digging up the dirt, take a potty break. Rejoin with another conversation or check out the game upon exit.

4. Take a walk. Get some fresh air and hoof it. Not only will your body appreciate it, so will your mind.

Happy Holidays!!!

AFFIRMATION
I get to decide how much or little I am willing to take.