Treat Yourself Like Company

"Nothing says holidays, like a cheese log." ~Ellen DeGeneres

The Holiday season is officially here, at least that's what I learned when I was a child. My mom always said it becomes official when Santa arrives at the Macy's Day parade. So, tis the season to be jolly! We are now supposed to feel joy and bliss, and fill our hearts with love and giving! Stay with me here...

it could happen.

There are many people who have mastered the ability to embrace the spirit of the holiday season. If you are one of those people, I congratulate you! But let's be real. For some of us, the holidays are a time of great stress and anxiety.
One of the ways I often see (and experience) additional holiday stress is through the urge to "should" on oneself. This may sound something like this...

"I should send Aunt Ginny a Holiday card."
"I should polish the silver for the guests."
"I should stay in my budget."
"I shouldn't have spent so much."
"I should give a tip to..."
"I should pass on dessert."
"I shouldn't have eaten that dessert."
"I should get along with my mother-in-law."
'I shouldn't have argued with my mother-in-law."

And the list goes on...

For many reasons, some of us revert back to old and familiar patterns when we are surrounded by family. Expectations once imposed on us by said family, have become self-imposed, since we are now free-thinking adults with choices.
This holiday season, if you find yourself feeling the urge to should on yourself, or giving in to those old familiar, yet uncomfortable patterns, take a minute to get aligned with your values. The passion, the essence, the real you. Not the one you pretend to be in times of stress.

And if all else fails, simply remember to treat yourself like company. Trust me, you deserve it!