Strategies for Maintaining Your Sanity During the Holidays (Part 1)

The holiday season is once again upon us, and it is imperative that you have a plan in place to ensure that you remain composed during the holiday season.

KEEP YOUR EXPECTATIONS IN CHECK

First, from a more pragmatic perspective, make sure you’re not left to juggle too many tasks by discussing ahead of time who will be responsible for what. Make a list of everything that needs doing, and assign tasks that the older kids and adults can handle.

Second, emotionally speaking, the worst thing is that we tend to act the way we want other people to when we have high expectations of them.

Your chances of being sane at Christmas improve if you lower your expectations of other people. Keep in mind that you are the only one you have any say over. Limiting your happiness with rules and restrictions is a certain way to look like the Grinch, which is definitely not the look you were going for.

BE MINDFUL OF YOUR BOUNDARIES

Relinquishing control does not entail disregarding one's boundaries. Continue to uphold your integrity. Develop a compassionate method of communicating your emotions when something causes you significant distress.

No, Christmas does not entail that you become a doormat. No, Christmas does not grant others the authority to demand that you accept concepts with which you profoundly disagree. Additionally, respect your own boundaries, but keep in mind that they are the limit of your authority.

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