Eliminating Holiday Stress

The holidays can be a time of obligation but wouldn't you rather use this time to do more of what makes you happy instead of just going through the motions to make others happy.

Obligation comes in many forms so it can be difficult to recognize.  Obligation can be described as family traditions, gift giving, over eating, shopping, spending time with undesirable family members, office parties, decorating, cooking, baking, tree trimming, last minute shopping, finding the perfect gift and more. 

Obligations are so hidden in the quest to have the perfect holiday or a Norman Rockwell experience that we don't recognize them for what they are and we ignore how they make us feel.  If you'd like to eliminate your holiday stress, when you're feeling stressed, ask yourself:

• Am I the one who created so many expectations for myself or is this something that was handed down generationally? 
  
• Was this list of holiday obligations given to me so gradually that I'm not even aware of when it stopped being fun and started being stressful?
  
• When I did start feeling stressed, was there something I could have done about it but instead I kept quiet and kept taking on yet another obligation; all in the name of holiday cheer?
  
• At what point did the holidays become about me never wanting to let anyone down?
  
• Am I trying to live up to a reputation I created for myself?
  
• When did I take it upon myself to make everyone's holiday a happy experience over my own peace of mind?

Once you give yourself permission to understand the basis of your obligation beliefs you also shift your perspective and open yourself up to alternate solutions.

What self-satisfaction do you get from saying, "yes" to holiday obligations?  When you can honestly answer this question, (honestly means you can answer it based on what it's doing for you, not what it's doing for someone else or expected of you).

Do you need to feel needed, to have the recognition, are you trying to relive a special childhood memory?  What fear comes up for you if you were to say, "NO"?

You are the only one who can make your holidays joyful because joy, love, happiness, excitement, satisfaction and peace is an internal gift you can only give to yourself.

If you're reading this message and thinking, "can I really do all this to eliminate my holiday stress" then I invite you to ask yourself if you believe it's possible!  Because whether you believe this message is true or or whether you believe this message is false, you're absolutely right and your holiday experience will be a result of what you believe to be true for you!

Sensei Nancy Mueller
Mastering Your Beliefs