How to Stay Sane During the Holiday Season

Holidays can bring excitement and wonder. They can also bring overwhelm, family drama, and even a sense of something missing.

Wherever you are at on that spectrum, it’s ok. It’s even ok if one day you have all that joy in your heart and twinkle lights on the mantle, and the next day you are crying missing your grandma. 

Sometimes, when there is a lot going on, you may not even realize that you are struggling. This can come out in the form of more arguments with family, stress at the grocery store, or feeling bad about yourself.

If any of this is happening to you, I just want to remind you that you are human. You can enjoy a family celebration and still need to take a break from everyone for a few minutes. You can love traveling to see people you love and still get stressed about the actual travel.

The truth is that holidays are complicated. Especially if you are around some people you don’t always get along with, or if you lost someone you really cared about and they won’t be at that dinner table this year.

Or, let’s be honest, you find yourself unable to provide the kind of celebration you dreamed of.

This isn’t a list designed to make you feel bad. In fact, I honestly think that when we call out the hard parts, we are more free to enjoy the good stuff.

So, if you are missing Grandma, spend a little time remembering her. If you are feeling overwhelmed, let yourself take a few minutes to yourself. If you are wishing things were different, give yourself grace to have that wish.

When you acknowledge all the feelings that might be challenging, they move through you. Then you get to be present with who is there at your table. You get to celebrate the love that is right in front of you. You get to be there for the good stuff too.