originally published in December 2019 and has been updated as of December 2021
As much as this can be the happiest time of the year, it can also double as a time where stress and grief are amplified. I can admit that there’s this unspoken expectation of how I feel this season should be. So when things go a little awry, it can feel like the holiday spirit has been completely sucked out. Continue reading for some of my personal tips on how to handle holiday stress to make it through this season.
So often, we form this idea of how things should go and plan every single aspect of it in our heads. We want it to go exactly the way we have imagined so it can yield the result we desire. But life has a way of turning our plans upside down and forcing us to adjust. This can lead to shattered expectations and a feeling of defeat. What I have made a point to do more of is go with the flow. It’s impossible to predict the outcome of any event so being malleable is always your best bet.
Related: Getting a Handle on Holiday Blues
What can add on to holiday induced stress is feeling of isolation. And this feeling is usually multiplied by grief. In moments like this, I have started making an effort to talk to a trusted person about how I am feeling. Being open with my feelings doesn’t give room for them to fester and pile up. This small act has helped me be more honest with myself and has allowed me to be more realistic with what I can and cannot do this season.
I’ve taken a mental note of things that I especially love to do during this season I make a conscious effort to incorporate that into my week. I’m very much into Christmas music, so I play it as I prep for shoot days. Watching Christmas movies (I’ve been very much into the romantic comedies this season) is another thing I love and it helps me decompress from a long day. Looking at neighborhood Christmas lights is somewhat of a family tradition, so when I have the chance, I drive around with my sis and it’s a time for us to bond.
Not everything requires a response from you. Things can get very frustrating, very quick, around this time of year. With family visits, holiday shopping, work related issues, and overall personal feelings, it can get overwhelming, very quick. I’ve learned that trying to address every single issue just so my opinion can be heard can take a heavy toll on me. I leave the situation feeling more exhausted than usual. Sometimes, it’s ok to just walk away and focus on your inner peace. Your future self will be very grateful that you did.
I hope that as you continue through this season, you make it a point to enjoy it.
Until next time…
All Photography by Stefanie Marie
