Happy Holidays, or....Happy Holidays?
How are YOU feeling this holiday season? Are you
"feeling it" this year? It's perfectly OK to be honest.
I found myself earlier this week responding with, "Great!" when
someone asked me the typical, "how are you doing?" at the opening of
our phone conversation. I noticed and heard what I said, so I quickly corrected
myself and said, "No. Actually, things suck right now. We just had to put
Henry our cat to sleep this week. I am so incredibly sad, and I miss him!"
It amazed me how I got myself into a routine of responding a certain way. I
don't do it intentionally to hide things, so it must be such a habit and a
reaction to standard questions, right? At least that is the reason I came up
with.
So, this led me to think about the quickly approaching holiday season. I am not
"feeling it" this year. This last quarter of 2021 has had many
challenges for me. I am processing through all of them, but they have left me
feeling a bit different. Beyond grateful for some things, but also deeply
saddened by others. I am definitely more self-reflective than I have ever been.
Without a doubt I am more honest with honoring myself and my feelings and my
needs.
Some things I did differently this year:
1) I didn't send a single Christmas card. Did this kill anyone? No. Do those in
my life know I love them and wish them well with or without a Christmas card?
Yes. This may be a new practice I incorporate into my life: removing this from
my list. We will see.
2) I left my huge 8-foot Christmas tree up in the attic. You know the one --
the one that was pre-lit....that lasted for two seasons...and then I would have
to fight with stringing lights, finding ones that work, having them falter
mid-way through the season anyway. I fixed this "challenge" by
ordering a pre-lit, 4-foot tabletop Christmas tree instead. Quite a bit of a
change, but I enjoyed not being frustrated with Christmas lights this year.
3) I decorated my house by about one third of what I usually do. Yes, cute
little Santas and Snowmen, I will see you again someday. Just not this year.
Who knows, maybe that someday will be when I sell you at a garage sale or give
you to my kids. Either way, this is not the year to make that decision. My head
is too heavy. I have decided I don't make good decision when my head is too
heavy.
Now What?
Many things have led to my bland attitude this year. Will it pass? Of course it
will. However, I have decided not to force it. Just like my reactionary
response of "great" when asked how I am doing on the same day I had
to say goodbye to my best fur friend in the world. It's not great right now. It
will be again, but right now I need to honor what I am feeling and not
"press through." Will and do I show love to those round me? Of course
I do and I will. But part of showing love is showing love to myself right now.
Loving myself this year looks like making things easier for ME this year. I am
putting myself into the equation. The equation that will again equal 100.
And... knowing it will get there faster and better when I care for ME in the
process.
This is my opportunity to acknowledge and honor those who have a hard time
around the holidays. It is not the "greatest time of year" for many
people. For those who it is -- FANTASTIC!!!! For those who it is not, I pray
that it can change for you in the future. If you have been working on it for a
long time, I pray that you have found a way to make it easier for yourself.
An a-ha!
Earlier this week I was on an online networking event. They asked all of us to
consider what our word for 2022 will be. Immediately I thought of the word
FREEDOM! I decided if it swept into my mind that quickly, I would not question
it and would claim it to be my word. And....as ironic as it is....I feel I am
already living this word from much of what I have detailed in this email to
you. FREEDOM to say exactly how I am feeling. FREEDOM to do things differently.
FREEDOM to put myself first. FREEDOM to take a "time out" from how I
typically perform and act.
Do you need to give yourself a bit of FREEDOM this year? If so, do it! You will
be better for it, I promise!
All the best for a beautiful closing of 2021 and a fresh start for 2022!
With loving kindness from me to you!
Connie Holmes
