by Susan Nefzger – author of A Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly and A Practical Guide to Awareness
Holiday stress is real, and it’s not always joy, decorations, gifts, and spending, am I right? Not everyone enjoys the holiday season. For some, it can be a time of sadness, depression, financial issues, and memories of lost and departed loved ones, relationships, pets, and other emotional times that may not reflect our best efforts to be present. But there is hope and during the holidays, there are ways to incorporate joy and presence in the day. If you can’t be with your entire family but want to maintain traditions, do so!
Below I have listed suggestions to help you manage challenging times, specifically ways to include family or loved ones in your holidays even if they are not with you in person.
- Make favorite holiday dishes that bring you comfort. While normally sharing with a larger group of family members, try adjusting for smaller portions. Another lovely way to celebrate family or holiday traditions without loved ones is to decorate with family heirlooms, table settings, and other items to remember traditions with fondness and a smile.
- Plan your day to include communication with loved ones and long-held friendships, so you can share and reminisce about your traditional activities. Even consider placing photos of loved ones near the table and at the beginning of the meal, even on tree ornaments, and give thanks for them.
- Practice gratitude for the health and well-being of your family at present if it is appropriate to do so. And with presence, practice gratitude for all the positive aspects of your life, instead of focusing on any shortcomings. Even simple things, such as baking your favorite holiday desserts and enjoying eating them!
- Practice focusing on the now, we know it’s not forever. Try to see the day as a moment in time to be remembered as such, and that being together, however it occurs, is really the key.
- If you feel overwhelmed by your feelings, take a break, step outside, breathe deeply, spend time with a pet, call a friend or loved one, or do a favor for a neighbor. When we participate in helping others, it takes our minds off our troubles. Think of others who can benefit from your attitude and reach out to them. Realign yourself in each moment with small steps can assist in getting you to the point of realizing a new perspective.
By changing our perspective about anything we see a fresh way of living. Once we gain a new perspective, we can feel better and share that joy with others.
Let us know in the comments below how you will incorporate a new way of celebrating even if your loved ones are not with you this holiday season.
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Author Bio: With the publication of a third practical guide, Susan Nefzger addresses the times we live in with “A Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly”. Inspired prior to and written during the pandemic, yet fueled by the vast changes our world has experienced since, the book is a straightforward, step-by-step guide to help us overcome blocks to living our best life in a joyful, passionate way. Susan utilizes spirituality and grounded instruction based on her coaching and personal experience, but always with a dash of humor. From enhancing your personal and work life, the way forward begins with awareness–through focusing on knowing yourself first. |
A veteran public relations professional with a highly substantive 30-year career, Susan sought answers on her quest for self-actualization. This led to a complete life transformation while attending a retreat in Glastonbury, England, in 2015, where inspiration flowed forth providing the impetus to write and publish “A Practical Guide to Awareness”, and the next year, “Putting Awareness into Practice”. She is the author of A Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly, A Practical Guide to Awareness, and its companion workbook — Putting Awareness into Practice.
Susan resides in Atlanta, GA where she shares her inspiration with others via online courses, workshops, and retreats. Stay tuned for the retreat schedule coming soon here: http://seeingbeyondtheordinary.com visit or @tips_for_fearless_living on Instagram.
