Beginning with Thanksgiving and Black Friday we are into the Holiday Season. A much awaited time of the year for many people and not so great for some. Let’s see if I can support your experience being a great one.

First, I ask you to consider that, in general, people are in a low-grade upset this time of the year and don’t know it. This isn’t a “good or bad” conversation. It is just “what’s so.” Let’s check it out … I have no interest in spoiling your holiday season.

The origin of our reaction to things is our early childhood. Therefore, for four to ten year olds, the holidays are mostly upsetting. Good or bad they are an interruption in the child’s routines. You know how attached kids are to their routine. So what’s upsetting?

  • School age kids are out of school
  • Gift buying is exciting
  • Gift receiving might be exciting or disappointing
  • Traveling can be exciting or disappointing
  • Visitors change things
  • Expectations, in general, can change things drastically
  • We are surrounded by people who are upset and unaware that they are

And so on and so on.

 

The antidotes for the upsets include the following:

  • Simplify you activities
  • Be gracious with yourself and others
  • Moderate eating and drinking. This supports good health
  • Consistent rest
  • Manage the number of events you commit to
  • Appreciate the relationships that you have

Be happy as a choice you make. It is not up to the people around you.