Let’s Talk About Traditions
Tis the season for traditions! From ones you have had since you were a child to one that you might be trying for the first time this year, this time of year is full of energy surrounding traditions.
They are important. Traditions provide us a sense of self, remind of us of things and people important to us, and can provide that warm and cozy feeling that only fond memories can provide.
So if they are supposed to be warm and cozy and happy and fun, why do we sometimes get a sense of dreaded overwhelm when they are on our holiday to do lists?! How can we avoid feeling that dread and instead get back to the true purpose of them which is to add positive moments to our life?
Well just like everything else, traditions require evaluation and thoughtfulness!! They require us to be flexible and give ourselves permission to allow them to change as WE change! Here are some tips to help navigate your traditions list this season:
Reflect on Your Values: Consider your current values and what matters most to you and your loved ones. This is important to remember: as you change through the different chapters of your life, things will mean different things to you! Focus on what matters most in the now.
Ask For Feedback: Engage in open conversations with family and friends to gather their perspectives on current traditions. If you do something with your kids, ask them if they enjoy it! Always travel to a siblings house? Ask if they are good with that! If hosting stresses them out maybe it's time to change it up!
Consider Practicality: Assess the feasibility and practicality of each tradition in relation to your current lifestyle and circumstances. If the tradition when you were a child was to fly to another state to be with your grandparents, that is going to look very different in today's world than it did 30 years ago! Don't set yourself up to be stressed out or disappointed by having unrealistic plans.
Scale Back: If you are overwhelmed thinking about all of your traditions or there are some that have come up for you that make you feel less than excited, then you should consider scaling back on them! Focusing on quality over quantity is an important part of this process and one that will make or break your holiday season!
Add in Something New: Sometimes the best things end up being ones we create ourselves! People can get so stuck on maintaining old traditions that they forget they can create new ones! Introduce new ideas and try different things to see what sticks! The best case scenario is living a life that has a little bit of the old mixed in with some fabulous new!
