As we approach the holidays, I wanted to share some insights and holiday tips on how you can begin expanding your mind so you can approach them in a lighter way. In this post I’m going to empower you to take control of your choices so that you have an enjoyable holiday with newfound appreciation.
As FIrst-Gen Latinas, many of us grew up doing things out of traditions and family expectations. Basically continuing the cycles during our generation without questioning anything. We are unique because we have had to adapt to two different cultures. Our family’s culture is beautiful and I’ll speak for myself when I say I am grateful to be a part of it but growing up in the United States, I’ve developed a sense of individualism. Over time, this has brought me to create boundaries around certain things and I’m here to tell you it is safe to do that. It’s okay to choose how you want to live your life. With that being stated, here are some holiday tips to get you through the season.
Reevaluate traditions
As mentioned earlier, First-Gen Latinas have lived between two “worlds.” Both cultures have their own traditions and that can be a beautiful thing, don’t get me wrong, but as adults, we get to choose how we want to live our lives. When something doesn’t feel right due to pushed expectations, it’s time to reevaluate.
Take a moment to go within. It doesn’t have to be fancy…you can do this while driving, taking a walk, even when you’re doing chores around your home. Think about how it feels when you think about the holidays. Do you feel excited? Happy? Or do you feel stressed? Heavy? Tapping into your feelings and emotions will give you all the insight you need.
Some people never reflect on how they feel which causes them to continue doing the same thing over and over despite it not serving them. Not you though. Now that you know how the holidays make you feel, go even deeper and figure out what exactly triggers you. Once you do that, allow yourself to choose how you want to proceed. You don’t have to put yourself through difficult things if they cause you a lot of emotional pain.
Over-communicate
One of my most important holiday tips is to over-communicate. By doing this, you’ll reduce the unrealistic expectations that create conflict. When people don’t communicate enough, assumptions are created and that can lead to trouble. You really have nothing to lose by over-communicating with your people and you have so much to gain (such as peace).
This is also the time to create boundaries if needed. I firmly believe that parents (in particular) always come around, no matter what. For example, if you end up deciding to take a trip during the holidays instead of spending it with your family, it won’t be the end of the world. It might feel like it to you at first, but you have to give others time to process things, especially if you’re hitting them with new and really different information.
The other important thing I want to say related to this tip is to be intentional with how you communicate. That’s the most important part, in my opinion, because it’s what makes the biggest difference. Choose your words wisely because that can be the most impactful part.
Some final tips for this section are the following:
- Choose a time when you won’t be rushed
- Prepare beforehand with responses to expected questions they’ll ask you
- Center yourself before the conversation(s) in case it turns heated
- Stay calm during the whole conversation
- Share with them what your needs are and where you’re coming from (if you feel comfortable doing that…at the end of the day, you don’t need to explain anything to anyone 😛 but it’s your choice)
Mindful gift giving
First of all, I want to remind you that you technically don’t have to give out gifts if you don’t really want to. I know it’s easier said than done though so I’m here to give you some tips on how to be more mindful when it comes to giving gifts. Now that you have reevaluated your holiday traditions, you can also now choose to change the way you approach gift giving.
You may realize that you’ve always felt pressured to overspend on certain people. This is the year to change that. You can suggest for it to be a white elephant gift exchange this time around so that everyone is in charge of giving out a gift to one person as opposed to getting something for everyone. If this idea is shut down, then you can suggest for there to be a spending limit per gift so that the expectation to spend is a lower amount.
Other ideas are the following:
- Gift experiences such as a date to a concert/museum/paint night/wine tasting/hiking outing/etc. This way you are sharing quality time with this person and creating memories that they’ll remember for a long time
- Give them a service such as hiring a house cleaner/dog walker/life coach/home organizer/gardener/etc…something that’ll save them time and energy.
- Give a sentimental gift such as a thoughtful handwritten letter (or poem if you’re fancy) describing what and how much you appreciate the person. Mention memorable moments where they have made an impact on your life. And maybe end with some encouraging or inspiring words. You can even make this letter pretty by framing it or putting it on a canvas like this.
- If you’re still stuck on not knowing what to get someone, shop small. Support small businesses and if you can, make sure they support fair trade.
- This last tip is risky but I’ll share it anyway lol. Give them (a.k.a introduce them to) something they’d never choose for themselves (benefitting their health and wellness of course) such as an acupuncture or bodywork package, a red light panel that they can begin using at home, a grounding blanket, or a particular type of facial, maybe even a session with a tarot reader or psychic 🙂
Obviously be mindful when choosing the particular gift for each particular person. Giving gifts shouldn’t be stressful with added pressure, it should be a fun way to show love and appreciation to someone. Always remind yourself of that and adjust your actions accordingly.
Be kind to yourself
The last of my holiday tips should be the easiest, which is to be kind. Don’t be so hard on yourself especially during this time when added pressure might be involved. Treat yourself the way you’d treat your best friend or your inner child (hopefully with love!). Remind yourself that this is all simply a season of the year that will come and go.
Show yourself grace when times get stressful and give yourself love when you need it. Excuse yourself and take short breaks if you need them when you’re with the family. Know when to set your boundaries regarding conversations or any other time. And finally, remember that everything takes practice. You’ll learn a lot after approaching the holidays with this new outlook and will know how to improve next year.
Final thoughts
So there you have it. Some holiday tips to keep in mind as you embark on this year’s festivities. I hope something(s) landed for you from this post. One final thought is to try (really hard) not to take anything personally. Remember that if people project onto you, it has nothing to do with you. Stay strong and stay grounded!
Remember to follow me on Instagram. My DM’s are always open. Finally, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter HERE. I’m excited to share more tips and channeled messages straight to your inbox. Happy holidays!
Let’s work together
- If you’re really ready to create the life you want
- If you want to increase your happiness and feel more confident in who you are
- If you want to trust yourself more and live on purpose
I can help you! Schedule your clarity call to work with me HERE!
Leave a Reply