The holidays brings will it them a happy mood; which, for most people, translates to happiness gathering with friends and family, partying, and spending the money that was saved all year long
However, not everybody’s looking forward to this season as they are going a rough time, and this season just makes things worse.
- Some people have lost loved ones over the last year or years and they do not know how to celebrate without their loved ones OR the festivities and the related activities are a reminder of the amazing times they had with their loved ones.
- Some people are sick/ ill and or nursing sick ones and it is just not a celebratory season for them.
- Others are facing financial problems, and the festivities (which mostly come with lots of spending) are just making everything get out control, especially when they cannot get assistance from others since these others are shopping for the festivities.
If you are one of those:
- Who are not looking forward to the holidays?
- Annoyed that the festive season is here, again?
- Frustrated and depressed because the season reminds you of how much everyone seems happy and you are far from being in that state of mind?
- Worried that the festivities demand too much of your time, energy and resources and you are tired/ exhausted or do not have these resources?
- Or you are expected to show up (at an environment that is toxic) and pretend how everything is okay:
Before I share some tips to get you the holidays, allow me to talk about toxic environments (something to look out for and avoid) that may escalate your frustration/ anxiety/ stress/ anger for this holiday season: Some people assume that environment means the physical surrounding; building, weather. I want us to focus on social environment: human beings have a lot to do with the definition of a social environment that have the ability to ruin your life, and make you wish you could vanish
- Those families/ friend/ colleagues always asking
- When you will get married
- Or get a child
- Or graduate
- Or get a job
- Or add more children
- Or take your first flight
- Or host the party
- Or grow a beard
- Or lose weight
- Or add weight
- Or grow taller
- Or grow shorter
- Grow a beer belly
- Fly abroad like so and so
TIPS to Getting through the Holiday/ festive Season
Here’s my encouragement to you: You are not alone and let no one convince you that you are alone. And while this may not be so consoling, it might ease your emotional burden a little, and the following tips might get you through this dreaded festive season.
- Avoid the toxic environment I was talking about: people who are always putting you down and trying to convince you that you are a loser. Or that you are jinxed.Or that something is wrong with you. You might actually realize that your life is quite great, and these people were merely projecting their own issues onto you.
- Avoid people who are putting unnecessary pressure to act- holiday-ish or come up with a plan. People who are pressuring you to ‘come up with a plan’ not wanting to know whether you are in the right financial, mental or emotional position to come up with a plan. If they want to come up with a plan, let them but let no one stress you
- Take time out alone: Stay indoors alone or with a few of the people you
- Go out: alone or with a few people
- Do something good for others; if you are up to it. Some people like to visit children’/ elderly homes, hospitals, etc or orphans or street children, etc
