Holiday Stress

I have been a bit surprised at the number of references I am hearing to "getting ready for Thanksgiving." I hear it on the radio, in the media, even in my local coffee shop - there are references to the holidays. I am sitting in a Starbucks right now, and they have their "holiday specialty drinks" already - all the Christmas-y peppermint and eggnog drinks.

It might be that I live in a bit of a time warp, but all this seems a bit much. I am completely in favor of celebrating the holidays, but the commercialization seems to sweep us along and before we know it, we are worrying that Williams-Sonoma will run out of Mulling Spices and Chestnuts.

It wasn't long ago that we celebrated Singletasking Monday - remember that? Tim Sanders drew our attention to the multi-tasking we do that reduces our productivity and also keeps us from being really in the present. I think the barrage of holiday advertisements takes us out of the "now."

But where does it take us? I think, in part, the commercialization takes us into a sort of fantasyland of what holidays should be like (not that there's anything wrong with that). But the reality for many people is that holidays are sometimes stressful, financially challenging, and bring family dysfunction into clear view.

If we could be present, single-task, with our holidays we might enjoy them a bit more. Being present with the family gathered might be more important than whether or not the yeast rolls are homemade, or perfectly browned. If we could focus on what we want and need, and not look at what the commercial world wants us to "need" we'll be happier.

All this takes tuning into your own inner voice - and tuning out the loud voices of what others say is important.

What do you really want for the holidays? What is really important to you? How can your holidays be structured so that you and your loved ones have fun and feel cared for?

If you can start with that in mind, you will then be able to filter through the special offers and advertisements. You can still enjoy holiday shopping, cooking, gatherings, but having your own agenda instead of someone else's.

Does that mean you won't have stress? Nope. But, you'll have more clarity and hopefully interior space to handle the stress.

Cynthia

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Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com
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