195. Christmas Eve Deep Breath
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One of my favourite end of year resources Year Compass
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Transcript
Okay, darling hearts. Here it is, the Christmas Eve deep breath.
-:The festive period can be one of the most challenging times of the year for many people.
-:Images of perfect family gatherings and joyous celebrations fill our screens and shops.
-:The reality, of course, can be very different.
-:You might be dealing with loneliness, grief, family tensions, financial pressures, or simply feeling out of step with the forced cheer around you.
-:Perhaps this time of year brings up difficult memories or highlights absences that feel especially raw.
-:You're not alone in these feelings and you're not weird for finding these things hard.
-:Remember that beneath the commercial gloss and the social expectations this is just a series of days like any other.
-:You have got complete permission to experience and move through them in whichever way works best for you.
-:There is no rule that says you must feel merry or celebrate in any particular way.
-:Your only obligation is to take care of yourself with gentleness and understanding.
-:If you're grieving this season, I'm sorry, and know that it's natural for your loss to feel magnified right now.
-:Consider creating some small private ways to give space to your memories and also give yourself the chance to step back or away when you need to.
-:If you're feeling lonely or isolated, I see you.
-:Social media and seasonal messaging can make it seem like everyone else is surrounded by loved ones, but this isn't true. Many people spend this time quietly.
-:Consider inviting people to spend time with you in ways that feel comfortable, but also know that it's more than okay to find peace in solitude.
-:If financial pressures are causing anxiety, remember that your value as a human being has nothing to do with what you can or cannot afford to purchase.
-:The marketing machine of the season is relentless, but you don't need to subscribe to its definition of celebration.
-:Some of the most meaningful moments come from simple connections and small gestures.
-:For those people who are navigating difficult family dynamics, protect your boundaries with confidence.
-:You can love people while still maintaining some healthy limits.
-:It's okay to step away from situations that feel overwhelming, to keep visits brief or to decline invitations altogether, if that's what your well-being requires.
-:Your mental and emotional health matters more than meeting other other people's expectations.
-:If you're struggling with mental health challenges, the pressure to be festive can feel suffocating.
-:Give yourself permission to maintain your coping strategies and routine even if others don't understand, especially if others don't understand.
-:Take your medication, keep your therapy appointments, stick to helpful sleep patterns, don't drink alcohol, and continue whatever practices help you to stay stable.
-:This season will pass, and your priority is taking care of yourself one day at a time.
-:Remember, there is no perfect way to handle this time of year.
-:If you need to change or drop traditions that no longer serve you, then do.
-:If you want to create entirely new well ways of marking the season, then do.
-:If you need to treat these as ordinary days and focus simply on just ticking through them, then that is completely valid.
-:Consider telling some trusted friends or members how you're feeling.
-:Many people understand these struggles, but they just don't speak of them and then that creates a false impression that everyone else is coping perfectly.
-:Your honesty might help someone else feel less alone with their complex feelings.
-:Be especially gentle with yourself in the quiet moments.
-:If you need extra rest, take it.
-:If old griefs or hurts surface, acknowledge them with some compassion.
-:You might be carrying burdens that others might not see, and I know that you are doing the best you can. Know that this season will pass. All seasons do.
-:Thank you for listening in today and, PS, I believe in you.
