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Tips for Holiday Survival
- Acknowledge that there is no magical solution for eliminating the
pain you are feeling.
- Accept that you have definite limitations this year, and that is not
"wrong", it just is.
- Realize that you must look at your priorities and determine what is
truly meaningful for you—and for friends and family.
- Give yourself permission to let go of the "shoulds" and "have-tos"
this year.
- Many changes in your life are painful and unwelcome and you are
entitled to grieve over them. Give yourself permission to do so, and then
try to see if some of the changes can be transformed into challenges. The
challenge is to survive—and find a new approach to life. This includes
the holidays.
- Know that it's OK to say, "No, I can't, this year."
- Do not feel guilty.
- Make your needs around the holidays known,—to friends, family, anyone
who may be able to provide support, especially emotional support.
- Constructive, short tasks are manageable. Avoid huge new projects.
- Remember, those around you are also struggling with their own pain.
You are responsible for taking care of you...just as they are responsible
for taking care of themselves.
- Talk with your family and/or friends, about personal choices.
Sometimes, exploring together can bring creative ideas about how to survive.
- Avoid over-indulgence in alcohol. Avoid recreational drugs. In the
end, they only make matters worse.
- Don't hide your feelings. Talk about them with those who care.
- Let others support you this holiday.
- Do something loving for someone else. It can make you feel better.
- Do simple things for yourself: Take a walk in the park. Call a
friend, just to talk and "connect". Buy yourself some flowers, or even just
one flower. Light a remembrance candle.
- CHOOSE, consciously, how you will celebrate, or NOT celebrate, the
holidays, this year.
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