How Do We Manage These Last Weeks of 2023?

“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. “~ Hal Borland

It’s November!!!

Where has the time gone? This year has been moving fast and here we are with Thanksgiving next week and Christmas right thereafter.

I love this time of year with family and friends, decorating, baking, holiday traditions and beautiful music. Are you filled with enthusiasm and excitement to celebrate the holidays?

I know sometimes Thanksgiving, Christmas and Chanukah have gotten commercialized. We’ve forgotten the true essence and spirit. Have we really? Is it possible to ignore the commercialization and focus on the spirit of the holiday? What do you want to focus on and share with others? Sometimes shutting off the TV is enough to get back to what is important.

This time of year brings many challenges and emotions. Every year is a new change. Families grow with new additions and lessen with the loss of someone we love. We feel their absence, an empty hole inside.

Traditions remind us of happy times.  At the same time, we can feel sadness over someone who is no longer with us. Emotions bubble and we feel the loss. It can be difficult to navigate this special time of year.

Are you feeling overwhelmed and stressed out?

Do you feel confident to manage your emotions and find joy in the holidays? Are you sad and feeling everything is too much to handle?

Lots of questions to ponder.

Rest easy. You are not being quizzed. No one will keep score, nor do you have to answer. Questions help you think. Mostly, to ask a question, will reveal the best answer for you.

There are no right or wrong answers. Maybe what needs to happen is a strategy for dealing with triggers of emotion. A tool to refer to and use so these next few weeks are enjoyable, peaceful, filled with love and comfort no matter where you are or what you choose to do.

Keep it simple and focus on the basics. Check in with your sleep. Are you getting rest each night? With everything on your plate, it’s understandable you may be sleep deprived. Take lots of slow deep breaths. Do this as much as you can throughout your day. Drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated. We all work on computers to some degree or turn to our cell phones. Try to consciously step away for 5 to 10 minutes over the course of an hour. Sometimes stepping away for a mini-break is refreshing. If nothing else, it will give your eyes a rest.

Seek out those you feel good with who can offer a sounding board or quick pep talk to feel better.

Stay flexible. There are many invitations and celebrations throughout the holidays. Give yourself permission to go to as many or as little as you want. If you want time to be by yourself, take it. Traditions or not, the spirit of the holidays is felt and expressed in many, many ways.

Let your heart lead the way. Trust your instincts. You are the best judge of what is right for you. The emotions you feel in the coming weeks will be manageable when you slow down, take care of you and allow yourself to do what feels best to you.

Wishing you a holiday season exactly how you want it filled with love and joy.