A Brief Reminder for the Holidays

Originally published in Comfort Zone Newsletter: November 2013

You know what you have to do:

• Fight the commercialization, which affects you as it creeps in, presenting things you can feel expected to do because everyone else does. Think consciously and deliberately how you will make this a meaningful time for you and others.
• At the same time, watch your expectations, fueled by memories and media (and me) that this should be a wonderful family time or especially meaningful spiritually–it may not be possible to find meaning right then, given the stress of the season.
• If you aren’t religious, think about the symbolic/archetypal meaning, always there, in this season of darkness turning to light and the birth of hope.
• Don’t take on too much, especially if you are already doing all you can in the time you’ve got. Make a budget for gifts and food, and stick to it. Again, foil the ones who commercialize this season, hoping to get you to buy what they need to sell.
• Order online and from catalogues to avoid crowds. Or shop early, in stores you are familiar with and like.
• Plan to be riled up by some feelings from the past and see what you can learn from them.
• Give your body a gift. Take some extra down time. Really. Eat moderately, get your sleep, and enjoy yourself your way, an HSP way.
• P.S. to parents: Do even more of the above. Your family will enjoy the holidays more if you “put your oxygen mask on first.”