Does The Sound Of Christmas Music Feel Like Nails On A Chalkboard?
All you need to do is look outside or turn on the radio and you know the holiday season is in full swing.
And for some of us it feels delightful and life giving.
And for others, not so much.
I want to be honest with you.
There have been holidays in my past that I kept my head down, soldiered on and prayed to get through to the other side.
There were some years where I played ostrich, in a futile bid to avoid the overwhelming, overfunctioning, over partying and over purchasing.
It was all too much for me!
If you secretly struggle during the holidays… I want you to know…YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Since those holidays of the past, I’ve learned new helpful, emotionally healthy, strategies to manage “Grinch-like” emotions during “Pollyanna” periods.
So, if the Christmas music feels like nails on a chalkboard right now, I’ve got three action steps you can take so that you don't feel like a Mac truck ran over you in the new year.
Watch this short video. Use the simple action steps outlined, and you will wake up January 1st feeling slightly more productive and fulfilled, and dare I say, perhaps a bit more joyous.
Here are 3 Action Steps to take when you’re not in the “holiday spirit.”
First: ACCEPT IT
It’s important to accept our feelings, even though it might be uncomfortable to do so. You’re not a Debbie Downer just because you’re not feeling the joy right now. Debbie Downer’s dwell. By accepting your emotions, you’re doing the first part of moving forward. Accepting your feelings is making the decision to work through your emotions so they don’t work you over.
Second: LIST IT
So, what IS it that you don’t like about this time of year? What is it that bugs you? What’s making you sad? What is making you feel lonely? In no particular order, list all of these things on a sheet of paper. Do your best not to judge yourself as you’re writing. Try to be as neutral as possible and get the things that are bothersome to you, out of your head and onto paper.
Third: FEEL IT
Emotions are meant to be felt. That’s why they’re called “feelings.” Give yourself time to sit with them. It may be uncomfortable at first, however, in order for our emotions to move forward we need to experience them. You could try journaling about what’s going on for you. Or, maybe you’re more creative and you prefer to make things. Talking to a trusted a friend can help us move through feelings, too. Or perhaps get outside in nature and let your feelings rise up.
I understand that what I’m suggesting might feel like a big ask.
And yet, if I know anything about you, it’s that you don’t shy away from tough things.
Doing inner emotional work is tough.
I call it “heavy lifting”.
And we weren’t meant to do it alone.
Have you ever thought to yourself…
“I want to work with a coach. But I don’t have time right now. I’ll do it after the holidays.”
If that’s you, I encourage you to break that “I can do it on my own” mentality now.
Schedule a complimentary call. It will give you the guidance, support and additional perspective you need to get through the holidays with grace.
There's still four weeks left in the year.
I've seen major shifts happen for my clients in that amount of time... shifts that create less stress and more energy.
Yes. Less stress and more energy IS possible.
And, YOU are worth it. Let's talk soon.
I believe in you,
Lisa
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Lisa Bobyak is the founder of Living Fully Balanced™ and she’s been challenging the current hustle culture and preventing burnout for nearly a decade.
Because her life once ran on autopilot, Lisa experienced burnout several times and faced life altering challenges as a result.
Now, her mission as a Life Balance and Leadership Coach, is healing burnout and teaching life balance strategies to high achieving women.
Through her Living Fully Balanced™ process, she shows women with full lives, how to regain their energy and increase their capacity so that they can make their mark on the world…without losing themselves in the process.
Lisa is the creator of the Beyond Burnout Kick Start, the Living Fully Balanced Life Planner© and the semi annual Pause Retreats .