By 
Because sometimes the holidays aren’t merry and bright… beyond the mistletoe, classic movies, enticing treats, ornate decorations and overhaul of lofty expectations for happiness, altruism and gratitude, is the not so jingle worthy reality that holidays can also be hectic, stressful, overindulgent, lonely and expensive. When our friends, families, partners, kids and coworkers can bombard us with unattractive small talk, uncomfortable political discussions, the overconsumption and ugliness of too much food and booze. Reminders of those who’ve passed or are no longer are in our lives in the way they used to be, the tendency to overlook or instigate the differences and separations between family members. The reality that a picture perfect holiday doesn’t exist no matter what Instagram and the Macy’s windows tell us. So today I’m offering a little room for us all to be real about the part of the holiday that hasn’t always been so celebrated, but has always had a seat at the table. I originally wrote this post last year around the holidays and my intention was to write a newer version, but it seems like pretty much everything still applies. So I tweeked a few things and added some new thoughts, but for the most part, these were the main themes I considered when thinking about the holi-daze we can easily fall into. I write this post with a lot of honesty, empathy and of course, love. Enjoy.
1. Mindfulness around the food and booze… but seriously, so hard. This, I believe is one of the most difficult things for me to maintain mindfulness about during the season of nonstop feasting, cheering, and nibbling on salt and sugar. If you are only planning to attend one celebration then by all means go all out and deal with the cookie and alcohol combo hungover but for those of us attending multiple holiday parties it’s a slippery slope. And let’s be real, I often find the yummy cheese plate and glass of rosè as a reward for doing 20 minutes straight of small talk with a girl named Sara who hates her boss, no offense to any Sara’s out there. It’s so tempting to just calm our social anxiety with too much cake and wine but, at the end of the day I will often ask myself, “is it worth the lull, the bulge, the lack of energy?” And to be clear, I always ask myself these questions from a place of love and acceptance of my body, and not shame and resentment for my choices. I try sometimes to think of all the cocktail parties as a marathon, not a sprint, trying to think of other ways I can manage some of the temptation by nourishing myself maybe before I go to a party with foods that make me feel good, so I’m not starving and consuming large amounts of food that won’t feel good the next day. It’s not an easy task but before alternating between nonstop fasting and feasting for several months, it might be worth some consideration.
2. Family comes first, but… The holidays are also supposed to be enjoyable, so why do others have to dictate what that looks like exactly? I know, I know, this is hard one. But I really believe that as individuals we need to stop apologizing for wanting more for ourselves, especially when it comes to our own happiness. If you don’t enjoy seeing Aunt-oh how are you still single?- then don’t. I understand people have commitments to see family for so many different and complex reasons, and sometimes it’s just not feasible. I wonder, however, if is at all feasible to cut some of the guilt out and do what’s best for yourself, your partner, or your kids in any small way (for example limiting the time with difficult family members or planning something separate and special for yourself or loved ones). Life is just too short and the holidays too special not to enjoy some or all of it the way you’d like.
3. Can we just say no… Like the last thought but a tad easier sometimes than with family. Saying no to “omg I haven’t seen you in forever, let’s do brunch“, saying no to more than two secret Santa’s, saying no to the entire cookie making station, just take your snap of the cute holiday party invite and Instagram that custom hot chocolate making station and get the hell out. Saying no to whatever you don’t want to go to and stop feeling bad about it. It’s not selfishness, it’s common sense. Remember, the holidays are about being happy, right?
4. #Holiday on a budget…Let’s face it, way easier said than done and I am no expert in budgeting. We all want that understated but ultra-luxe and on trend New Year’s Eve dress, the substantial donation to our favorite charity, the extra pretty gift wrap option, the $70 ugly Christmas sweater (I wish I was kidding), that gift that makes our partner go wow! And with social media it’s hard to re-wear the expensive cocktail dress and not be a tad jealous about what model Range Rover kid car the Joneses got Timmy. It’s the thought that counts and I’ll admit that it is sometimes very difficult for me to understand that fully. So in the spirit of supporting the opportunity and meaning behind giving this season, making a budget for everything involved, not just the gifts and donations, but the real cost of each event, the holiday cards, the last minute/overpriced bottle of champs, the beauty regimens, the Uber surge pricing, the outfits, the secret Santa gifts you forgot about until the night before, and all the little extra details that add up, aka the $8 ornate, but oh so convenient wine gift bag nobody will ever use again.
5. Don’t just do it for gram…I know, I know, I’m a total hypocrite. But I do constantly tell myself this all the time and for the most part it reminds me why I gather and plan before the gram (haha that wasn’t meant to rhyme but I like it). Remember that you can Insta at anytime and often it’s the photos we don’t post that make us look cooler. If you’re having a good time, the photo can wait, if it has to happen at all. Heather Dubrow said on her podcast that she only takes photos at the beginning of an event so she can enjoy the rest of her time without worrying about it. Clearly she isn’t a blogger, but hey I think the principle still applies. Some of the best photos required the most work and stress. I am clearly still thinking hard about this one…
6. Exercise, exercise, exercise… A general rule of thumb that’s been particularly useful for me in this last year. If I can’t make time to relieve the stress, then I don’t make it. AKA if I know I’m going to be in a frenzy going to three events in one week and won’t have time to recover (aka workout or relax a night or two in between) then I just don’t go. Its kind of like putting gas in the car, if you are constantly on empty you won’t be able to go very far!
7. Can we honor those who’ve passed… Perhaps one of the hardest parts about the holiday is being reminded of those who we have lost, who played significant roles in our celebrations in past years and remind us of how much we miss them even if the rest of the year is more bearable. As a therapist I often encourage clients to acknowledge the loss in the safest and most bearable way possible. This can vary from reading a poem or quote, playing a particular game, sharing a fond memory, eating a special food or even visiting the grave or special place he or she used to love. These are not as simple as they sound and perhaps not appropriate for every situation, however, often times allowing a welcomed space, that may come with some sadness and difficult memories, feels better in the long run then avoiding the loss entirely.
8. And maybe it’s okay to be sad… As a matter of fact, maybe we can even plan for it, just a little. Like I mentioned before, as much as the holidays are fun and filled with happy memories, they are also sometimes stressful and emotionally draining. We tend know ourselves well enough to sense when we might have an extra hard time putting up with a parent who might not change, a recent breakup, or a change in life circumstance beyond our control. And when everyone is forcing cheerfulness and gratitude down your throat it can often leave us feeling extra sensitive to the things we don’t have, or did and lost. It’s never a bad idea to have a little plan in place for these days — maybe promising yourself no guilt in saying no to a party invitation, or treating yourself to a massage/movie/SoulCycle class, having a friend on speed dial who is comfortable with just listening or watching a re-run of Friends. We all have things that make us sad and often times the stress or pressure that comes with this season brings it up a little more for us, and for what it’s worth, I’m here to tell you that is so okay.
Tis’ the season and take care, but really
-M
Authentically,
