It’s the holiday season again – a time when many of us set high expectations for ourselves, fueled by thinking of what we “should” do instead of what is realistic and what we genuinely want to do.
This can leave us feeling guilty – not just for falling short of our own expectations, but for letting that pressure steal the chance to savor the spirit of the holiday season and truly enjoy good times with family and friends.
Instead of a mental loop of “shoulds” such as:
- I should have arrived on time.
- I should make everyone’s favorite dishes
- I should have written and mailed 100 holiday cards by now.
- I should always be the life of the party.
Consider these thoughts and choose joy over perfection this year:
- I arrived a little late, but I made sure I had all the gifts
- I will choose a manageable menu that includes some favorites and release the pressure to make every single dish.
- I will write out holiday cards as time allows and know that I did my best – and a late holiday greeting is ok too.
- I can be the life of the party when I have the energy, but will honor my need to slow down and relax when I’m tired.
When I feel overwhelmed by holiday tasks, I remind myself of a powerful phrase from The Missing Peace blog, Don’t ‘Should’ All Over Yourself: Why the Word “Should” is Holding You Back and What to Do Instead.:
“Empower yourself with ‘I want’ and ‘I choose.'”
It’s a great way to pause and decide if a task is truly a priority, or just another “should” that I really don’t need.
May you enter the holidays feeling grounded and ready to enjoy the moments you choose to prioritize.