Savor (and Destress) This Holiday Season

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The holiday season is such a magical time. Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s, and more–they all have special meanings. But the holiday season also comes with more social events, more cooking, more planning, prepping for house guests, gift shopping… the list goes on.

It is so easy to let the busyness of the holiday season get in the way of us actually enjoying it and celebrating the true meaning of the holiday.

A family gathering around a holiday meal

Let’s all take some time to mentally prepare ourselves for the holiday season so we can really enjoy this magical time.

How to Get In the Right Mindset so You Can Savor the Holiday Season

Prioritize what’s most important to you.

It’s easy to approach the holiday season wanting to do it all. Take some time to reflect on what is most important to you about each holiday and prioritize those things.

It’s okay to let some things go.

It is not your responsibility to make the holidays magical. Your kids and family are going to value the relaxed time you spend together more than everything being perfect.

Say no/set boundaries.

Where are all my people pleasers at? 🙋‍♀️ As I say this to you I am also reminding myself.

It’s okay to disappoint others.

You are not responsible for others’ happiness.

Your sister may not like that you opted out of making her favorite dish but she will be okay.

Your kids might want dozens of presents to open but if you don’t have the time or money to do that, they will be okay.

The house may not look perfect when guests arrive but if they judge you that’s on them.

Nobody else knows your limits better than you do, so it’s your responsibility to respect them first or others won’t.

People who don’t set boundaries often end up feeling burned out, exhausted, and sometimes resentful because they aren’t getting their needs met. This doesn’t sound like a great way to enjoy the holiday season.

Delegate.

Everyone wants the holiday season to feel magical. Most people realize that the holiday magic doesn’t actually magically happen.

Some people just don’t know what needs to be done or how to do it.

Be a leader and delegate.

Kids can put stamps on holiday cards and (some) can help in the kitchen.

Some things can be entirely handed over to a spouse or family member.

From there, we just have to be okay with it not being done how we would do it.

The Bottom Line

Showing up for the true meaning of any holiday is what matters most. We put the effort into holiday cards, decorations, food, etc. so it feels special to everyone. It takes a village to make that happen, not just mom.

So prioritize the holiday preparations that are most important to you, say no to things that will take you to a place of overwhelm, and delegate what you can. So everyone, including you, can relax and enjoy each holiday you celebrate.

Updated November 2023

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Dina Garcia
After healing her relationship with food and reversing her pre-diabetes, Dina Garcia has developed a true passion for helping others live the happy, healthy lives they deserve, free from preoccupations with food and body image. As a dietitian-nutritionist, mindful eating coach, and founder of Vida Nutrition and Conscious Living, she is all about helping her clients ditch diets, build a healthy relationship with food and find practical solutions that make healthy eating DO-able. She’s constantly juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship but enjoys the flexibility that being her own boss provides her family. Dina has been featured in CBS Miami, Bustle, Self, Women’s Health, Livestrong, Thrillest, Simple Most, Business News Daily and more. She completed her undergraduate degree in dietetics in 2005 at Ball State University, then her supervised practice in 2006 at California State University, Fresno. You can follow Dina here: IG: instagram.com/dietitiandina FB: facebook.com/myvidanutrition blog: vidanutrition.com/blog

4 COMMENTS

  1. I really love how you talked about setting boundaries and knowing your limits. Great reminder! And especially how you highlighted that how others perceive things is on them. Not you. Well done!

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