We wish you a Merry Chrisma-Chana-Kawanza-Kah, and a Happy New Year – to recovery from your holiday season, which may or may not have been filled with triggering family interactions.
We’re talking boundaries that got crossed, uncles that got drunk in your living room (after being told not to), parents that got mad because your flight got cancelled (because that’s definitely your fault) and unwelcome advice about how to parent your children as a new divorcee.
Yeah. This holiday season it was the wild west. Whether you found yourself smoking in the back alley (yes, we know you quit), or hiding in the bathroom crying in your egg nog, we’re here for you.
Here are some tips for recovery this season:
Take a breath to rest. You might have to get back to work, but that doesn’t mean you need to get back into your 100 mile an hour life right away. Take a weekend off. Don’t schedule yourself tons of activities. Now is the time to recuperate.
Take stock of what went well. Did your new Menorah look great this year? Was the switch to a Christmas Eve service a good choice? Are you glad you chose to stay home rather than travel? Whichever pieces were successful: consider doing them again next year.
Connect with people who can laugh with you about what didn’t go well. Who totally understands? Who will crack up at just the right time when you tell them about this year’s insults from the in-laws? And give you a hug when you need it? It is so important to reconnect with the people who fill us up and make us feel seen.
Remember you are in good company. Therapists always know that this time of year is tough – for most of us. We are rooting for you!
If you think you may need a little extra help this year, reach out for some support. We would love to help you figure out how to best move forward, both with how to navigate those relationships and for the future. We can give you some tools so that next year you won’t feel so overwhelmed when the same-ol’ same-ol’ happens.