Hello Kind Souls, 'Tis the season to be jolly! But let us be honest, it is also the season to be frazzled, overwhelmed, and occasionally hiding in the bathroom for a moment of peace. Today, we will chat about the art of giving ourselves 'grace and space' during the holiday hoopla.
Grace: Being Your Own Best Friend
1. The Perfect Holiday Myth Picture this: The cookies are burning, the dog is rearranging the Christmas tree (and wearing the Christmas tree skirt!), and your Aunt Myrtle has just started her annual rant about politics. Perfection? Far from it. But, hey, perfect is boring, right?
Give yourself grace - a dollop of self-compassion and a sprinkle of understanding, just like you would for a dear friend who accidentally spilled her eggnog.
2. Grace for Yourself Guests are about to arrive, and your living room looks more like a toy battlefield than a Hallmark Christmas movie? Instead of fretting that you are the worst host ever (that inner critical voice can be tough!) CHOOSE to give yourself grace, smile and embrace the lived-in real-life Christmas charm. It is a reminder that your home is a place of life and laughter, not a showroom. This holiday, let the focus be on the warmth of your company, not the state of your space.
3. The Art of Saying "No" You do not have to attend every holiday event, bake a zillion cookies, or knit sweaters for every family member (unless knitting is your superhero power). It is okay to say "No, thanks" and choose activities that bring you joy instead of stress. Remember, saying no to others frees you up to finding opportunities to give your best yes that honors you, your energy and time.
Space: Finding Your Holiday Zen
1. The Great Escape Plan When Aunt Myrtle starts interrogating you about your love life or career choices, it is space-o'clock! Have a plan to step away – take a walk, play with the dog, or volunteer to run an errand. Sometimes, a quick trip to the grocery store feels like a vacation.
2. Quiet Time Rituals Find your calm in the chaos. Whether it is savoring your coffee in the early morning hours, a quick meditation session, or just five minutes of deep breathing that preps your nervous system to get out of fight/flight mode – find what recharges your batteries.
3. The Bathroom Retreat Yes, you read that right. If all else fails, the bathroom can be your sanctuary. Lock the door, take a few deep breaths, scroll through some funny dog videos on your phone, and emerge refreshed and ready to take on the world... or at least the dinner table.
Embracing Imperfection
This holiday season, let us embrace the beautifully imperfect, slightly chaotic, and wonderfully unique celebrations. Give yourself grace to goodnaturedly laugh at the mishaps and space to enjoy the moments of quiet amidst the noise. After all, the best holiday stories are the ones where everything did not go according to plan, but you enjoyed yourself anyway!
So, there you have it, Kind Souls! The holiday season – a time for joy, reflection, and yes, mastering the art of balancing the merry and the mayhem.
At KindWorks Counseling, we champion the transformative power of kindness – not just during the holiday season but in every moment of our lives.
Here’s to a holiday bursting with laughter, compassion, and perhaps just a sprinkle of chaos (for the sake of tradition). Let us embrace each moment with grace and space, and make this season one to remember for its warmth and kindness. Happy Holidays!
About the Author - Counselor Keri Aschoff, LPC-Associate, NCC
Keri Aschoff, founder and counselor at KindWorks Counseling, is dedicated to helping adults and adolescents through a whole-body integrative therapy approach to heal emotional wounds from their life's hardships and traumas.
She specializes in transforming adversity into hope and healing. Specific areas of expertise are adults and adolescents who have experienced trauma (including betrayal, childhood abuse, and medical/illness), C-PTSD, Chronic/Serious Illness (especially dysautonomia/POTS/EDS) and Borderline Personality Disorder.
Keri is a self-professed neuro-science research nerd who loves to use her free time to read the latest research and deep dive into additional training to help her clients even more effectively. She is EMDR trained, certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and currently pursuing her PhD in Health Science Trauma Informed Care at Liberty University. She also integrates DBT, Parts Work, somatic therapy, polyvagal theory, and Structural Dissociation Model in her work.
Keri Aschoff, LPC-Associate, NCC - Kind Works Counseling
Supervisor: Jackeline Hurtado, LPC-S - License Texas 65735 at The Lotus Circle Counseling
929-777-5463 (KIND)
Helping clients in-person Katy & Cypress Tx and online throughout Texas
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