5 Steps to Discovering Authentic Joy During the Holiday Season
As the holiday season unfurls its tapestry of twinkling lights, festive decor, and dazzling parties, it invites us to experience an array of joyful activities. But in the whirl of preparations and celebrations, the essence of authentic joy can sometimes be clouded by the bustle.
We would like to offer you a gentle pathway to help you uncover and nurture the joy of the holidays that is grounded in authenticity and resonates with your heart.
1. Reflect on Past Holiday Experiences
Begin with a moment of reflection, a quiet introspection into your holiday memories. Recall those instances that sparked true happiness in your heart, as well as for your partner and children. Was it the laughter shared over a meal or the peaceful solitude of a winter morning?
Equally, acknowledge the moments that may have felt overwhelming. Be intentional in establishing boundaries that respect and protect the personal energy of both you and your family.
It can be helpful to prioritize a time to discuss these precious moments and create an opportunity for family centered nostalgia. Allow everyone a voice to freely express their feelings about what makes the holiday season exciting, as well as stressful.
This gentle reflection can serve as a compass guiding you towards joyous experiences and away from stress this holiday season.
2. Set Realistic Expectations
In a world where holidays are often idealized and perfectly styled in movies and on social media, it’s essential to set expectations for the holidays that are achievable and kind to yourself and others.
Striving to attain someone else’s version of holiday perfection can leave you and your family stressed and overwhelmed. According to The American Psychological Association, 38% of people say their stress increases during the holidays — only 8% of people say they feel happier. (Harvard Business Review).
Establish a mindful practice to embrace imperfection. Finding joy in the perfectly imperfect – the slightly burnt cookies, children’s homemade decorations, and your tipsy mother-in-law – is where the true spirit of the season lies.
3. Cultivate Gratitude and Mindfulness
In the simplicity of gratitude, ordinary moments become extraordinary. Embrace a daily ritual of acknowledging small joys – the warmth of a cup of cocoa, the melody of a holiday song, or the sunset on a winter’s evening.
Complement this gratitude with mindfulness practices. When we pause and slow down our bodies and minds, we are able to focus on our sense of being instead of doing. Whether it’s a quiet walk amidst the falling snow or a few minutes of deep breathing, these practices anchor you in the present, allowing you to savor the holidays’ true joy.
And the benefits of developing a practice of gratitude and mindfulness can positively impact your life in numerous ways:
- Increased satisfaction
- Improvement in mood
- Stronger immune system
- Fewer aches and pains
- Stronger interpersonal relationships
- Better communication
4. Create Joyful Holiday Traditions
Traditions are the threads that weave the holiday tapestry. This season, consider revisiting traditions that fill your heart with joy or even creating new ones.
It might be fun to rediscover a family recipe, take a simple walk or drive to admire the holiday lights or declare a device-free evening in exchange for playing cards or board games. These traditions, big or small, become the cherished moments of our holidays.
Whether grand or understated, holiday traditions become the cherished markers of your holiday celebrations, enriching your experience with joy, connection, and a sense of belonging. And the entire family can help co-create these experiences, adding to the sense of authentic joy and shared excitement.
And there’s no time like the present to revisit beloved traditions or add new ones that bring peace, calm, and meaning into your life.
5. Maintain a Joyful Mindset at Work
Amid the holiday season, the workplace can become a wild vortex of deadlines and demands. Holiday stress seems to affect women more than men, and the contributing factors are often a combination of personal as well as workplace expectations. Dr. Chris Rowley, Professor Emeritus at the University of London Cass Business School, found:
“that nearly one-half of the workforce hit ‘festive fizzleout’ by December 18th … [and] more than two-thirds of workers were less productive throughout December, with nearly one-half admitting that they did 10-20% less work” (Harvard Business Review).
To maintain your sense of joy at work, acknowledge these stressors and approach them with calm and detachment. You may not be in control of much of your workplace environment, but you do possess the power to control how you respond to it.
Consider personalizing your workspace with subtle holiday touches that bring a smile to your face and remind you of the purpose of the holidays. Engage in festive activities with colleagues, sharing in the collective spirit of the season. If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, you might be surprised to realize that offering a colleague a helping hand or kind word can soothe your own frazzled nerves as much as theirs.
And don’t forget to step away from your desk occasionally, allowing yourself moments of rest and rejuvenation. Take deep cleansing breaths, stay hydrated, and avoid indulging in too many sweet treats. It’s a good idea to seek out and embrace positive interactions, letting the joy of the season be reflected in the power of your words and actions.
Some Final Musings …
During this holiday season, let’s remember that authentic joy often whispers in the quiet moments and in shared smiles. By embarking on this journey of reflection, setting gentle expectations, cultivating gratitude, and creating joyful experiences, even at work, you open your heart to the true essence of the holidays.
As we all navigate our paths to holiday joy, remember that sharing both your positive and stressful experiences with others might light the way for someone else’s journey of staying grounded and centered in the genuine purpose of the season. In the giving of the gift of ourselves, we receive many blessings in return.
Wishing you a holiday season filled with presence, mindfulness, and authentic joy.
~ Cindy & Steve
We warmly invite you to embrace the journey of living a more mindful, thriving, and joyful life. Please feel free to reach out and let us know how we can assist you: