During the holiday season, we are filled with so many emotions. Amid the joy and celebration, there can also be feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and frustration. Often we want to give the perfect gift, serve the perfect food, and have the perfect relationships. However, since we are all human, we will never achieve the perfection that we often crave. How can we have a joyous holiday season but still keep our expectations realistic? Here are some ideas:
Limit excessive spending
Obviously this is easier said than done! It is tempting to
buy expensive gifts as a demonstration of love. However, people who truly love
us will appreciate a simple, thoughtful gift. I (Andrew) remember spending the holidays a few years ago with Sarah, who is now my wife. Neither of us had
much money to spend on presents, and she made a paper chain where I would tear
off a link every day during the winter that she would spend in Wyoming and I
would spend in Nashville. When the chain was gone, we would be reunited when
she moved to Nashville. I appreciated that thoughtful gift more than something
extravagant.
Make time for yourself
It is so easy to spend the holidays trying to please our family
members, friends, and colleagues. It is important to have a giving spirit
during this time of year, but we shouldn’t give at the expense of neglecting
our own needs. Perhaps eating your favorite foods or listening to your favorite
music could be comforting during this hectic time of year. You could also take
a relaxing bath or read an interesting book.
Set realistic goals
Although a healthy sense of ambition is a good thing,
sometimes we can take it to an extreme over the holidays. We may want to attend
every social function we can with as many people as possible, but this can be
destructive to our physical and emotional health. By having enough activities
to be enjoyable, but not overwhelming, we can strive for a healthy balance.
Look for opportunities to give
There are many opportunities with agencies such as the Salvation Army and the Angel Tree that help struggling families this time of year. There are also intangible gifts you can give to people who may need a friend. A simple gesture of inviting a friend to your home or to a restaurant could be comforting to a person during the holidays. St. Francis mentions that we should not “seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, but to understand; to be loved, as to love.”
The Access Center has enjoyed serving the NSCC community this semester, and we wish you a relaxing break filled with peace and joy.
