Staying Grounded Through the Festive Season: A Guide for Women Navigating Family Gatherings (Part 5).
Part 5: redefining christmas on your terms.
If you haven’t read the previous parts of my Festive Season blog you can go back and check them out here:
Part 1 Naming the truth about Christmas.
Part 2 Planning ahead for triggers.
Part 3 Exit strategies that keep you safe.
Part 4 Staying grounded during the day.
Each week I’ve introduced a new topic which, I hope, will help you to manage the ‘silly season’ with serenity, peace and more joy than you might normally feel.
This week I talk about redefining Christmas in a way that feels right for you.
Christmas often stirs up old family patterns. No matter how much time passes, certain comments or behaviour can hit a nerve as if no time has gone by at all.
But you’re not bound to repeat traditions that drain you. Christmas can be shaped in a way that nourishes, rather than depletes you.
a quick guide to deciding what works for you.
This short practical exercise can help you work out what you would like Christmas to look like before it arrives. It will give you the opportunity to plan ahead and make things work in a way that keeps you safe.
Keep what brings you joy.
Make a list of three traditions that genuinely bring you happiness.
Maybe it’s decorating the tree.
It could be baking a favourite treat.
Perhaps it’s going for a walk on Christmas morning?
Release what brings stress.
Write down three traditions or expectations that leave you exhausted or resentful.
Ask yourself “Do I really need to carry these into this year?”
Write down what you really can’t tolerate.
Create something new.
Consider adding a ritual that feels calming or meaningful to you.
Light a candle for someone you miss.
Have a quiet breakfast before the rush.
Take a walk before everyone wakes or at sunset.
grounding tool: christmas self-care kit.
Put together a small kit of treats for yourself.
Candles.
Herbal teas.
A journal.
A favourite playlist.
Essential oils.
Leave it somewhere quiet and return to it whenever you need a recharge.
closing thought.
Christmas doesn’t need to be perfect.
It needs to be yours.
Next week I’ll talk about how to build your Christmas support network, a group of people or professionals who can help you stay safe during an often-difficult time.