"The pressure's on but guess who ain't gon' crack?" - Jay Z
Hey ,
The holiday season is a time when we gather with loved ones, converse over home cooked meals, and exchange gifts to show our appreciation for our friends and family.
For some of us, it's also a time when we feel like we can't be our true selves around the people we love the most - our families. Whether it's politics, getting judged about our weight, or being bombarded with questions about when we're having children or getting married, the holiday season can be a lot to handle.
As we head into Thanksgiving, I want you to know that if you're not sure how to navigate the holiday season with loved ones, you're not alone.
Here are a few tips that may be useful for making it through dinner (and the rest of the year):
Plan some "me" time: Want to go for a run, walk or hike before dinner? Do it. Give yourself time to charge your batteries, even if that means stepping away from your family for a few minutes.
Practice visualization: A few weeks ago, Takia mentioned the benefits of a visualization practice. It got me thinking... how can we use visualization to navigate the holiday season?
If you know your aunt always makes a comment about your body, visualize that conversation and how you plan to respond ahead of time. This way, you're not completely caught off guard and you'll already have a plan in motion to navigate your response.
Set boundaries: Yes, easier said than done but you're allowed to set boundaries with family members too. Practice saying things like:
"I'm not comfortable with this conversation"
"That's really none of your business"
"Okay, I'm removing myself from this discussion"
Does this mean you have to approach the holidays defensively? Absolutely not! Many of the uncomfortable encounters we have during the holidays don't come from a place of malice.
However, that doesn't mean that you're not allowed to stand up for yourself when you need to (even if that means annoying your uncle at the dinner table).
Kiera
