Easing Into the Holidays

Setting Intentions – Choosing How You Want to Feel This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. It is a period filled with traditions, festivities, and a sense of warmth that permeates the air. Setting intentions during this special time allows you to consciously decide how you want to experience and embrace the holiday season. By choosing how you want to feel, you are taking control of your own happiness and well-being. Whether you wish to feel grateful, peaceful, excited, or nostalgic, setting intentions can help you align your thoughts and actions with your desired emotions. It enables you to focus on what truly matters to you during this festive period and create meaningful experiences that resonate with your heart. Setting intentions also involves reflecting on past holiday seasons and identifying what brought you the most joy and fulfillment. By understanding what emotions and activities resonate with you the most, you can create a roadmap for a holiday season that is both meaningful and fulfilling.

Let’s face it: the holidays can bring a million “shoulds” from every direction—family, friends, Pinterest boards, and even our own overachieving minds. So, let’s kick things off by thinking about what you want this holiday season, not what you think you should do.

Instead of trying to juggle everyone else’s expectations, why not set your own rules? If you’re feeling like you “have to” make the perfect feast, host every party, or make sure every event goes just right, take a deep breath. This is the season to go from “I have to” to “I choose to.” Here’s how to make it happen:

• Begin by Selecting Your Desired Atmosphere: Consider this as establishing the emotional ambiance for the season. What kind of feelings do you wish to experience? Are you aiming for joy, connection, tranquility, or comfort? Envision that sensation and maintain it as your primary focus. This will serve as your compass for all the choices you will make in the upcoming weeks.

  
  

• Be True to Yourself: if you're concerned about not fulfilling everyone's holiday expectations, remind yourself that this is your holiday season as well. Picture a large "Nope" button that you can press whenever someone else's "should" creeps in. Their idea of holiday happiness doesn't have to mirror yours, and that's perfectly fine.

  
  

• Reframe Those Annoying "I Have TO's": Instead of saying "I have to attend Aunt Susan's cookie decorating party," try "I choose to go because I desire family time" (or opt out if it brings more stress than enjoyment!). Reframing empowers you to determine what resonates with your desired atmosphere for the season.

  
  

Success Secret: A few meaningful “Yeses” that align with your vibe beat a hundred "Ughh, ok” that leave you stressed out. And don’t forget—every “No” creates more time for the “Yeses” that really matter.

Power Pause: Jot down 1-3 feelings you want to focus on this season, like “connected, joyful, peaceful.” Put the list where you will see it everyday as a reminder and let these guide you in every choice you make. This season is for you, not a list of obligations.