How to Navigate the Holidays

The holidays should be a time surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones. A time to feel comfortable, safe, and supported. However, being around certain people can bring about certain triggers. Maintaining your happiness and protecting your peace should be top priority!

Here are a few tips on how to help yourself navigate the holidays:

Identify/Acknowledge Triggers 

It is important to identify your triggers now and learn to acknowledge them beforehand. Let’s say you are at the home of extended family. You are aware that a relative triggers you because they bring up topics that make you uncomfortable. Being aware of this trigger will allow you the time to process and come up with a plan.

Set boundaries/Communicate 

A part of your plan can be setting boundaries. Whether that is setting boundaries for yourself or with others. Setting a boundary can look like if you are to have a discussion with your family beforehand and make a choice on whether you stay or go as a unit if you are made to feel uncomfortable. Another boundary can look like a discussion you have with yourself where you choose to find an outlet if triggered.

Expectations can become overwhelming to manage. Another way to set boundaries is to communicate your intentions and plans throughout the month. For example, you have your family and your in-laws that both want to see Christmas lights. You want to make sure to have a friendsmas and alone time with the kids. Communicating and organizing yourself so that expectations are clear can save a great deal of energy and miscommunication allowing for a smoother holiday season.

Create a Plan 

Creating a plan for if or when you are triggered is vital to protecting your peace. Acknowledging what your needs are in the moment of discomfort can help your holiday be more enjoyable. If you are in a position where you are not in your home create a plan to find a moment of solitude. Perhaps you decide that if you find yourself triggered you will take a moment in the bathroom. Take a few moments to do a quick breathing exercise or progressive muscle relaxation and process your feelings. From that point decide how you move forward. Maybe you go back to the festivities and choose to no longer engage with the relative or maybe you choose to have a private conversation.

Being surrounded by family is not the right fit for everyone. Sometimes choosing to surround yourself with the people that bring you joy, and comfort is the better fit. Maybe you feel happier celebrating the holiday with a close friend. Whatever your plan is, make sure it brings you happiness.

If you would like to process this further, feel free to reach out for a complimentary phone consultation!