How to Accept New Holiday Traditions
Do the holidays look a little different for you this year? I know for me it does. My sister usually hosts Christmas at her place but this year they’re taking a family trip to the Bahamas. I know, totally not fair!
With my other sister at her in-laws that just leaves my mom and I. So this year we decided we’re going to spend it with our extended family. Something we haven’t done since I was a little girl still writing letters to Santa.
It’s definitely going to feel a bit different and I’ll miss the rest of my family, but I’m excited because I also think it will be a lot of fun!
I know for many people it can be challenging to accept change on the most magical day of the year. However, I’m here to tell you that despite your kids creating new traditions of their own, spending it at the in-laws or traveling somewhere else, it’s still entirely possible to make December 25th feel as special as always. Just keep these tips in mind!
How to Accept New Holiday Traditions
Create your own traditions
Just because you’re used to things being a specific way each year who says it has to stay that way? This can be the perfect opportunity to create something new and exciting. Ask yourself how you can make this holiday season special in it’s own way. Maybe you invite friends over, volunteer somewhere or go traveling! When you allow yourself to start thinking of other possibilities you might be surprised how excited you start to feel. All of a sudden missing out on the usual traditions don’t matter so much. I know when I start imagining Christmas Day this year I think about how much my aunt will make me laugh or how my cousin is going to spoil us all with ridiculous gifts from the dollar store. I’m actually looking forward to changing things up a bit.
Don’t take it personally
It’s so easy for us to take offence when our family decides not to spend the holidays with us. Many times we end up feeling like a victim and this can manifest into making them feel guilty. It’s important to realize no one is intentionally trying to hurt you. Them wanting to start their own traditions has nothing to do with you. It’s about them needing to do it for themselves. It will be far easier and less painful for you by accepting that. It will also help you maintain a healthy and loving relationship with them. No one wants to be around someone who is going to make them feel guilty. That will inevitably push them away even more. So be aware of how you approach the situation and choose your words carefully.
Why is it so important?
It’s easy for us to get caught up in yearly traditions. It just becomes this thing that we all do. It ends up being so second nature that we really don’t take the time to ask ourselves why these traditions even matter. It’s easy just to say, “Well, that’s just the way it’s always been.” By taking it a little deeper you’ll start to understand the traditional elements that are really important to you. Once you start to dissect the ‘why’ you may find other ways to create that same feeling for yourself. Maybe you’ll discover your ‘why’ is because you love the feeling of having everyone sit around the dinner table together. Once you realize this you can start to think of other people you could bring together to create that same feeling of connection.
The holidays don’t have to be about traditions. They can be about exploring new opportunities, connections and a deeper sense of self.
Did you enjoy this video? If so, be sure to also check out ‘I’ve Always Struggles with People Cancelling – Until Now.’
I want to help you work through those blocks that are getting in your way of you living up to your full potential. For more information on how to be the driver in your life and take control of that wheel, click here.
