Loving Yourself This Holiday
The holiday season is often painted as the most wonderful time of the year. But let’s be honest — it’s also one of the most emotionally taxing. Between family obligations, social gatherings, and the unspoken pressure to "look happy," it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and drained. That’s why this year, you’re going to approach the holidays differently — with self-love at the center. Loving yourself this holiday season means setting boundaries, honoring your energy, and embracing your unique journey. Here’s how to do just that.
1. Set Boundaries and Protect Your Peace
The holiday season often comes with an influx of family gatherings, reunions, and social obligations. While it’s wonderful to connect with loved ones, not every invitation deserves a "yes." Setting boundaries is essential to maintaining mental health and emotional well-being.
How to Set Boundaries During the Holidays:
Define Your Priorities: Before the invites start rolling in, decide what’s most important to you. Prioritize your mental health, rest, and peace of mind.
Learn to Say No: You’re not obligated to attend every event. A simple, "I appreciate the invite, but I’m unable to make it," is enough.
Communicate Clearly: If family members tend to push your buttons, set clear limits. If certain topics (like your job, love life, or appearance) are off-limits, try to respond in a way that ends the conversation in a calm and authoritative tone. For example, if they ask you about your love like, respond with “When there are updates you will know”.
2. Abide by the Law of Energy
Energy is everything, and during the holidays, your energy is in high demand. From cooking to gift shopping to entertaining guests, your energy can get depleted fast. The "law of energy" reminds us that our energy is finite and must be protected.
How to Protect Your Energy During the Holidays:
Prioritize Rest: Just because others are running around stressed doesn’t mean you have to. Prioritize moments of stillness, whether it’s a 10-minute meditation, a slow morning routine, or simply saying "no" to non-urgent tasks.
Avoid Energy Suckers : You know that one relative who leaves you feeling drained after every conversation? Minimize your exposure or set time limits on interactions with them.
Recharge Intentionally: Take intentional actions to refuel your energy, like taking a walk, journaling, or engaging in a hobby you love. These simple actions protect your mental well-being.
3. Never Compare Yourself to Others
The holidays often bring reunions with family and friends, which can trigger the comparison trap. Maybe your cousin just bought a new house, your friend’s career is "taking off," or everyone’s relationship seems picture-perfect. But here’s the truth: Everyone’s journey is different. You are not behind. You’re on your path.
How to Avoid the Comparison Trap:
Celebrate Your Own Wins: Make a list of everything you’ve accomplished this year — big or small. Reflect on how far you’ve come. Comparison fades when you’re focused on your own growth.
Recognize Life is just like Social Media Highlight Reel: Remember that what you see on social media is curated, so are the milestones people share in real life. No one’s posting or sharing about their stress, arguments, or sleepless nights during their journey to achieving their goals.
Practice Gratitude: Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, reflect on what you do have. Gratitude shifts your mindset from "I’m behind" to "I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be."
4. Embrace Your Own Journey
Your path is yours alone. No one else has lived your exact experiences, faced your challenges, or grown in the way that you have. This holiday season, embrace that truth. Stop measuring your journey against someone else’s timeline. You are not "behind" - you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
How to Embrace Your Unique Journey:
Reflect on Your Growth: Take a moment to write down everything you’ve overcome this year. What challenges did you face? How did you grow from them?
Release the "Shoulds": Let go of the idea that you "should" be at a certain stage in life, have a specific type of career, or achieve certain milestones. You’re allowed to define success on your own terms.
Focus on Your Path: Everyone’s path is different. Your pace is not too slow, and your journey is not "wrong." Trust that you’re right where you’re meant to be.
This Holiday, Choose You
Loving yourself during the holiday season isn’t selfish - it’s necessary. By setting boundaries, protecting your energy, releasing comparison, and embracing your unique journey, you’re giving yourself the ultimate gift: peace. The holidays aren’t about "keeping up" with others or pleasing everyone. They’re about joy, love, and presence - and that starts with how you treat yourself.
So, as you prepare for the holiday season, remember this: You’re worthy of rest, boundaries, and compassion. You’re on your own journey, and it’s a beautiful one. This year, give yourself permission to love yourself first. Everything else will fall into place.
Lastly, here are some journal prompts you can reflect on this holidays:
What’s one boundary you’ll set this holiday season to protect your peace?
Who or what drains your energy most during the holidays? How can you protect yourself from it this year?
What’s one achievement from this year that you’re most proud of? Take a moment to honor it.
How can you honor your unique path this holiday season? Even its sharing something exciting you are working on with others in social setting.
