Festive boundaries

Are you welcoming in the festive cheer and finding any excuse to embrace all the shiny stuff that comes with the Silly Season?

Or rejecting the 'in your face' Buy Buy Buy and 'Tis the season to be jolly' version?

Does it signify warmth and joy or stress and conflict or even pain and loss?

Maybe it's a funny old mix...I love the community and connecting aspects and yearn for less showcasing and more embracing messy reality. Obviously there's no one size fits all and whatever we care about and is meaningful* to us has a tendency to get amplified, positively and negatively!

So whatever your take on this time of year...

Catch your breath

Be imaginative, lock yourself in the toilet & blame those sprouts ??

If you don't think you've got time to catch your breath then you seriously need to because your body will find a way to make make it happen for sure!

Acceptance

Step away from Perfect, Best Ever, & Magical and go with Bl**dy Good enough!

Acceptance can get a bad rap, it's not about giving in and is a deeply courageous act and anything but passive.

So be realistic about messy reality and focus on what's in your control and what isn't.

If we can let go of some of those 'shoulds' and 'musts' we can better accept with grace the priority obligations and reduce risk of resentment.

Pause before…

Saying yes

Saying no

Losing your sh*t

Taking a moment, particularly if you have People Pleaser tendencies or get easily frustrated, can be a game changer. So many opportunities for this one!

What if it were ok to disappoint...?

Outrageous I know, but could you take stock, prioritise and dare to cancel when it feels too much?

This week I got a little courageous and pulled out of an Xmas 'do' I'd been looking forward to. I've had work and social travel this past fortnight and the event was involving some of the same buddies and yet more travel.

Yep, it felt uncomfortable and a bit 'wimpy' to pull out, but boosted by a strong cuppa and dark choccie combo, I decided to give my friend a ring and be honest. As tempting as it was to message and play on all the bugs doing the rounds, I explained I was 'all travelled out' and we ended up having a lovely conversation.

Fascinating we worry so much about letting people down when most of us are appreciate when someone is thoughtfully honest with us, I really enjoyed your comments, thank you!

What if it were ok to disappoint if it meant honouring your own needs? BRENE BROWN

So who's with me, you have permission, mine & Brene Brown’s? ??

Be glad for...

If Gratitude’s not your cup of tea, try being glad for...that cup of tea?

Even save up a funny story for a buddy with your humour

If the whole Gratitude thing engenders suspicion of 'toxic positivity' then how about just being 'glad for' something really small?

And having someone who shares your sense of humour is fab because when you're going 'interesting' times knowing you can turn it into a little story can top you up and relieve some of the angst!

Less is more...

A valuable outlook any time of year, why not consider Less of the 'stuff for the sake of it' and More of the meaningful stuff?

*and if you're struggling to find meaning generally or curious to explore, check out This Book could help . It might be designed for men but will be right up your street if you enjoy a down-to-earth approach like me ?? A nice stocking filler!

?????????????? ????????????????

Want practical tips on workplace mental health, boundaries & managing messy reality?

+ ?? sign up for my monthly newsletter

+ ?? ring the bell to see more of my posts

+?? follow my personal & company page?Emma Saccomani Workplace Wellbeing

#Workplacementalhealth #Boundaries #Messyreality