Peace and Goodwill - or Maybe Not

The Christmas and New Year holidays often bring families together for extended periods, which can place additional burdens on relationships.

For many, what should be a season of joy and connection becomes a time of tension and conflict.

Don't break what doesn't need to be broken

Tension can lead to arguments. Consequently, arguments can lead to broken relationships that impact the whole family and may trigger deeper issues for some family members.

Everyone is an individual; therefore, each person will handle the situation differently. However, it is essential to minimise the emotional roller coaster ride that may occur during the holidays.

Any outburst can damage relationships to the point of no return.

Why be Superwoman when you don't have to be?

There is always the possibility that hidden trauma from childhood and other relationships, whether the immediate family or work environment, will increase your stress levels and subsequent feelings of being out of control and unable to cope.

If you know from previous years that you are under increasing pressure to manage, organise, and support your work, home, and Christmas, now is the time to seek help.

You are not Superwoman. Asking for help is not a weakness. It recognises that others can contribute to a wonderful holiday without everything falling on you, the family carer. You deserve to relax and enjoy yourself as well.

Delegating with a plan - gives you back time and space to relax even a little bit helps

Delegating is essential for your well-being. Help yourself with the following suggestions.

✔️Have a plan; it may take time to put a plan together, but being clear on what is needed and who is responsible for each aspect will reduce stress on you, allowing you time to:

✔️Take care of yourself, as you can guarantee. Even delegating gives you more than your share of things to do, so you don't need to feel guilty for sharing the burden and saving yourself from burnout.

💚Practice deep breathing, which helps to calm your nervous system. Instead of feeling fraught, you can smile as you sit back and relax for a short while.

💚 Mindfulness and meditation are good ways to manage your nervous system, prevent you from feeling overwhelmed by what is required, and ease your inner critic—that says to you, "You have to do it," "What if," or "Nobody knows what to do."

If your mind becomes overloaded with thoughts...

💚Journaling is an excellent way to allow your mind some space and ease the pressure you place upon yourself.

💚Arrange to go for a walk in nature to get away from all the hassle that Christmas involves. It naturally calms you and gives you an opportunity to reduce your stress as you connect with the calming beauty of all that nature has to offer.

💚Claim yourself some quiet time away from everyone. This is beneficial in managing the increased tension and anxiety to get things done and to make it as near perfect as possible.

💚Let go of perfectionism, and accept that when you delegate, it will be as perfect as it needs to be. Perfectionism is only what you believe is perfect, not what everyone is expecting.

Let go and allow

When you know you and your emotional, physical and mental well-being matters, you will feel less inclined to want to step in and take over.

If something goes wrong, it won't be the end of the world. It will be if you are over-stressed and unable to participate because your body says no more. I am forcing you to rest.

Promise yourself that you will develop a plan and take action on it. Then, have the conversations necessary to get everyone on board.

Make this holiday season a time for you to rest and relax. Let go of the need to do everything yourself and trust that everything will work out. Even if it doesn't, it will still be a Christmas to remember.

#empowerment #relationships #christmas #holidays#stress #women

Karen Bashford embodies empowerment after experiencing trauma and abuse from childhood, culminating in a physical and nervous breakdown in her 60s. She is the founder of The K.B. Method and The D.R.E.A.M. System for women to #BeYOU—speaking their truth, calmly confident, empowered leaders of their businesses and lives.

Karen is the founder of The Empowering Women Life Leaders podcast.  She is an inspiring speaker and author of What’s Your Money Personality and How To Be Imperfectly Perfect, A Practical Spiritual Guide To Becoming You and co-authored three other books.

She is a multi-award-winning Empowerment Mentor and Soul Healer Therapist. Enabling clients to heal the wounds of the past. A Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner and Psychic known for her direct but sensitive approach, she rapidly transforms the lives of female leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs stuck in overwhelm self-sabotaging and limiting mindsets to improve relationships, health, wealth, and happiness.