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Every year my chest starts to tighten as we approach the holidays. I end up completely overextending myself and when January hits, I’m spent. How can I approach the holidays from a more balanced perspective?
– Joanna, 47
While the holiday season is a favorite time of year for some, this upcoming stretch can also be incredibly stressful, emotionally taxing and just plain exhausting for many of us. Here are some tips to support you:
1. Approach the holidays intentionally:
If you were to set an intention or theme for the holiday season, what would it be? What do you most want to experience this time of year? Rest and relaxation, spiritual reflection and renewal, connection and sharing with close friends? What activities or choices might you make to support this intention? What do you need to let go?
2. Schedule time for self-care NOW!
What do you need to nurture yourself – emotionally and physically – during this period? Maybe more exercise, protein-rich foods, emotional support from a close friend or mentor, taking an afternoon off for a solo date or just lightening your schedule so you can build in a 20-minute rest period between errands? Read more about this theme from my book The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life.
3. Say yes to what feeds you and no to what doesn’t:
If you were to set an intention or theme for the holiday season, what would it be? What do you most want to experience this time of year? Rest and relaxation, spiritual reflection and renewal, connection and sharing with close friends? What activities or choices might you make to support this intention? What do you need to let go?
4. Slow down and practice living in the present:
The shopping will get done and you’ll make it to the meaningful holiday activities that are important to you. The question is, how do you want to feel while accomplishing these things? Stress comes from living in (or having thoughts about) the past or the future. Right here, right now, in this moment – there is no stress. Breathe. Slow down.
Before you enter this holiday season, think about last year: what worked and what didn’t? Listen to your needs, say no to activities that don’t fuel you, make choices that support your emotional and physical well-being, keep it simple, and, when in doubt – practice self-kindness and be easy on yourself. You’ll be surprised by how many people around you will follow your lead!
WEB EXCLUSIVE!
This has been a really hard year for me. I feel like I’m harboring a lot of old resentments towards my past employer and several co-workers. How can I release this negativity and move into 2010 with a clean slate?
– Donna, 38
Every year, our Career Strategists coaches Sarina and Angela, support hundreds of professionals through career transitions.
One of the biggest hurdles their clients face is understanding how to release old resentments and wounds around previous jobs, employers, bosses or business relationships.
Here are some tips to support your healing so you can direct your attention towards your goals:
• Ask, "What do I need to do to heal from my experience with XYZ?"
Your internal guidance will direct you on what you need to do to release the old and move on. Spend some time journaling about this and ask this question daily, if needed.
• Realize that every time you give attention to XYZ, it's taking valuable energy away from your true focus.
Is that really what you want?
• Write a letter to XYZ, sharing exactly what you say if you were to meet the individual or group of individuals.
This can be incredibly cathartic (you might even want to burn this afterwards). But, don't send it! This is just for you.
• Get some professional help.
If you find yourself constantly ruminating about the past (particularly if you were layed off or fired), you might consider seeing a therapist to gain greater self-awareness about why you were triggered. Ask friends for recommendations for counselors. I personally think " www.Imagotherapy.com is great.
• Create a "vision board" for your next career phase (illustrating your ideal scenario with pictures).
This can help you begin to shift your focus and attention to what's really important.
• Take ownership of your feelings.
It's really easy to blame, project and want someone else to be responsible for our "stuckness." But in brief moments of clarity, we may be able to see what our role was in the dance.
And, be easy on yourself. We often unknowingly "recreate" family dynamics at work. If your last boss reminded you of your overbearing mother, try to maintain some levity around the situation and give yourself a break. Then, unhook and move on!
UPCOMING EVENT
Nov 1 - 30th: Empower women in your community! Become trained to facilitate Personal Renewal Groups or join a self-renewal circle in your area:
ReneeTrudeau.com/group
November 17th: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CST *FREE* Live Inside Out Class with Renee Trudeau via telephone. Topic: Creating Your Support System.
Register at HYPERLINK ReneeTrudeau.com/calendar.
Reneé Peterson Trudeau Bio
Renée Peterson Trudeau is a nationally-recognized entrepreneur, author, coach and president of Career Strategists. Trudeau’s work has been featured in US News and World Report, Working Mother, American Way, Family Circle, AARP and she is a regular speaker for Fortune 500 companies and national organizations. Trudeau is the author of the award-winning The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life. Thousands of women around the world are joining and becoming trained to lead self-renewal groups based on the Guide, as a way to enhance balance and well-being in their lives. Learn more: ReneeTrudeau.com and CareerStrategists.net.