When Christmas comes along, everyone expects it to be joyous. Seeing loved ones, receiving (giving) gifts and enjoying some well earned time-off. However, for some, it’s not always so simple. Christmas can be an overwhelming experience, where expectations are too intense and being kind to yourself is left behind.

If Christmas can get too much for you sometimes, consider these tips to help yourself this year:

• Write down what is really important to you these holidays
• Question if something really “needs” to happen (what will happen if it doesn’t?)
• Remember, the Christmas routine is not your normal routine (it’s over soon)
• Make time for some things you would like to do (leave yourself space too)
• Take one thing at a time
• Remember you can say no

• If there is conflict, disappointment or a difficult experience, try reframing the experience
• Go to a calm environment, take some seconds or minutes to consider what just happened
• Remember to breathe slowly & deeply
• Listen to your thoughts and ask yourself:
• Are they reflective of my true feelings?
• Are they related to what is really important to me?
• Consider the facts of the situation:
• What actually happened?
• Write down the facts (e.g. I came into the living room)
• Reflect on how your thoughts or beliefs may have led to your current situation and if it’s possible to change anything in your circumstances
• Use your journal to:
• Note personal feelings down
• Make a plan going forward
• Write down your reframed view of the situation

1. Remember to act upon your planning, boundaries & reframing
2. Remember to be kind to yourself this holiday season
3. Remember that you are loved

A couple of minutes at the start of your day and a couple at the end can offer valuable insights into your state of mind and allow you to effectively plan and reflect on your day.

The following questions help guide you through this process.

Get your journal and have a go!

It’s been a year like no other (well, maybe like the year before, a little).

Reflecting on the year offers the chance to:

• Rejoice in your success
• Consider the learnings
• Design and plan your next year
• Align your goals (not just new year resolutions!)

In order to reflect on your last year, ask yourself these simple questions (feel free to write this down):

• What went well?

(Don’t bypass the successes! Recognise the achievements and celebrate yourself)

• What surprised you?

(Life is full of surprises, you’ve definitely experienced some, consider them and then how you responded)

• What did this year teach you?

(Every year new experiences come our way, and we learn something every time)

For the year ahead:

• What do you expect to happen in the next year?

(Big or small aspects all count here, professionally and personally)

• How can you navigate uncertainty?

(Uncertainty will come our way, but knowing how you adapted to this last year and what helps, you can plan ahead for this year)

• What are your top goals this year?

(Not resolutions, but concrete, individualised and time-bound goals)

If these questions haven’t already highlighted what’s important to you, also consider what your values are. Aligning your goals and actions with your values will bring a sense of deep satisfaction going forward.