Eff the holiday blues

I don’t know about you—but I blinked and the holiday season is here. And, if I think too long about it, it’s pretty easy to spiral into the depths of holiday despair, thanks to a to-do list that rivals Santa’s gift-giving list. (Lest we forget all of the travel-booking, meal-planning, gift-buying, holiday-partying, and family time-spending we’re expected to cram in before January 1st.)

 Oh, and let’s not forget to factor in all of those pesky EOY loose ends that need to be tied up before you log off and set up that OOO reply. There’s a lot going on for one small season. And it can be overwhelming. Which brings me back to: Let the spiral commence!

Maybe you’re stressed about gift-giving with a tight budget, or you’re feeling lonely when missing someone whom you thought would be there, or you’re stressing hard from trying to please everyone.

Whatever it is, just let me say the corny thing that, yes, is 100 percent corny, but is also true: This time of year is for gratitude and reflection. It’s not the time for spiraling out of control (as much as you can help it).

That’s why I’m asking you please make the effort to continually check in with yourself. The commercial mess that is “The Holidays” is bound to attack your senses, flood your inbox with sales, and convince you that things need to look and be a certain way—or they’re no good at all.

Resist that nonsense as much as you can. You have every right to enjoy “The Holidays” in a way that suits you. You can drink the champagne (or not). You can donate to charities instead of buying gifts (or even buy some gifts for yourself!). You can totally skip the holiday party (or peace out after one drink). Or, you can just celebrate it by telling your friends and family why you’re grateful to have them in your life. You define what celebrating looks like to you.

Xx

Sophia