December is Here!

Are you getting into the holiday spirit?

Photo by Daniel Seßler on Unsplash

December is here, bringing with it the first snowfall here in Germany, and the beginning of the holiday season. Yesterday, we celebrated the first Advent with the lighting of a special candle. There was a tree lighting ceremony with a bonfire and Glühwein in the town square for those willing to brave the cold (we didn’t).

Many beautiful, traditional celebrations are taking place throughout the month of December all over the world. Most cultures celebrate a midwinter holiday, to mark the end of the year, and to bring some light to the darkness of winter.

As all these beautiful celebrations are taking place, remember the importance of kindness to everyone whom you encounter. Likely, store clerks are overworked this time of year, and have had people screaming at them throughout the day. So, it is important to have patience and compassion for them. They have a difficult job this time of year.

Also, there are people who don’t enjoy the holidays for a variety of reasons. Some may be mourning the loss of a loved one, which can be more difficult this time of the year. Others may be experiencing mental health issues, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder. Still others may feel triggered by the holidays if they didn’t grow up in a loving home.

Here are some tips for taking care of yourself this holiday if you may be struggling:

When You were Abused as a Child, Holidays can be Triggering

Taking Care of Your Mental Health During the Holiday Season

Even if you love the holidays and enjoy every minute of it, things can still get busy and stressful. It is easy to get overwhelmed if you schedule too many events, have to prepare for the kids’ school gatherings, or have to do all the shopping and planning on your own.

Whatever your circumstances this holiday, be sure to build in time for rest, self-care, and doing things that you enjoy. It can be as simple as sitting mindfully with your cup of coffee in the morning and thinking about all you have to be grateful for. Or, you can curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book, or a holiday movie to lift your spirits.

Also, don’t feel pressured to say yes to things that don’t resonate with you. It is perfectly OK to skip out on some of the holiday parties, Christmas markets, or to bring store-bought snacks to a gathering instead of baking. All of us have different forte’s and we can cater to those this time of year as well. Don’t let the responsibilities become too much and drown out the joy of the season.

I’m not really a cook. So, I used to be appointed to bring wine or rolls to every holiday gathering. Now, I do the shopping for gifts, while my partner does the cooking and decorating. Dividing up responsibilities and doing what you are comfortable with helps to make things more enjoyable. Don’t pressure yourself.

I hope you all have a lovely December, and enjoy making some beautiful memories! If there are any specific topics you would like me to cover this month, let me know in the comments! This newsletter is all about you!

Have a great week,

Nicole Dake