Welcome back to large crowds, family gatherings, and all that comes along with both. For some of us, those large holiday gatherings are marked on our calendar well in advance as something to cherish and look forward to. But for many, especially this particular year, it's not exactly the most wonderful time of the year.
So how do we cope with a potentially challenging or downright difficult time of the year?
As we've lost over 782,000 Americans over the course of this pandemic, we can't forget that we are a nation that is actively grieving. The loss of life and livelihood has taken a collective toll on us as a nation, and in order for us to gradually heal, we must recognize this impact.
Be Patient With Yourself
We often set a high bar of expectation for ourselves while demanding little of others. If you are one of the many of us who tend to be more critical of yourself, ask yourself this question: "Would I say this out loud to another person that I care about?" If you would not, consider reframing what you are saying to yourself at that moment.
Allow Yourself to Set Boundaries
"No" can be one of the kindest gifts that you can give yourself this holiday season.
