HO HO HELP!
The holiday season is upon us and … It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
For some … it’s the most WONDERful time of the year and for others … the most STRESSful time of the year. Christmas can be stressful financially, emotionally, socially, and physically. You are supposed to feel joyous, relaxed, and happy on Christmas day. You’ve worked hard in preparation of this day to make sure everything will be perfect.
What if all the pressure for perfection threatens to hinder your plans?
What if your Christmas stress levels are through the roof?
What if this feels far from the “most wonderful time of the year”?
Whether we realize it or not we all have some expectations going into and during the holiday season. Oftentimes our experiences from past years can lead us from making assumptions to anticipating what may happen in the upcoming season.
Everyone has a vision of the perfect holiday, but when reality fails to live up to the dream, stress comes into place. Commercialism can overshadow the true sentiment of the holiday season; but remind yourself that … family, friends, and relationships are what matters!
PUT INTO ACTION
Below are some pointers to help you manage your expectations this holiday season.
SET “REALISTIC” EXPECTATIONS
No Christmas, or other holiday celebration is perfect.
View any missteps as opportunities to exercise your flexibility and resilience. A lopsided tree or a burned turkey won’t ruin your holiday — it will create a family memory!
If your children’s wish list is outside of your budget.
Talk to them about realistic expectations and that the reason we give gifts at Christmas is because God gave us His best gift … His son JESUS!
Give yourself some ME time.
You may feel pressured to be everything to everyone. REMEMBER that you’re only one person and can only accomplish certain things. Self-care is the best thing you can do — others will benefit when you’re feeling less stressed.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). -Isaiah 7:14