How You Should Truly Be Enjoying The Holidays

During the holidays, it's easy to be swept up in the hustle and bustle of it all. This can give way to feeling that the holidays aren't so "merry and bright".

But what if I told you, that you could hit pause on the holiday madness, and make the season truly feel like a moment of actual gratitude?

What would it feel like to truly look forward to a day of rest?

Could it truly be an annual checkpoint, to remind yourself how far you’ve come and how grateful you are?

I know! I can hear your, "But ...!".........hear me out.

We can actively chose to enjoy ourselves during this time.

We can consciously leave out the traditional home-cooked meal and obligatory celebration for an incredibly small night out because it is what we needed to do to feel good.

And of course, you will piss family off, incensed people with certain expectations, and break a lot of rules. But you can make this day what you want.

Fun. Relaxing. And full of gratitude.

Make your precious days off, a full permission break. Let the 8ish hours of no-work-emails, be all about you.

What is the worst thing that may happen? Seriously, brainstorm, write it all out.

List every feeling you’ll hurt, every grudge you’ll build, every sideways comment, and judge text message.

Include the invites you won’t get next year, the tears and cries directed at you, the "all your faults," even the physical reactions.

Then write out your dream scenario.

What does your ideal holiday look like?

How does it feel?

What do you eat?

When do you sleep?

Do you watch football or binge on Netflix documentaries?

What is your ultimate fantasy?

Now give yourself permission. Permission for the middle. Something in-between.

But absolutely go for you. Make yourself happy!

Even if you choose the hectic travel, the inappropriate dinner conversation, the hours of prep and clean-up, choose it willingly.

Knowingly. Momentarily. Embrace the experience.

You do you, and love every damn second of it.

I am so grateful for you. I hope you are too.

Remember, enough is a feast.