The holiday season should be a time of relaxation, excitement, and connection with those closest to our hearts. However, as the season progresses- it can also be a stressful period for many families; especially financially. For those who have lost loved ones and are struggling/have strained relationships with family, the holidays may not be “the most wonderful time of the year. But instead the holidays may be a time of bitterness and sadness for people you may never suspect.
Therefore, there are ways to ensure that you are both wary of others and your own wellbeing during such a chaotic period of the year.
1. Reach out to Others
The holiday season is supposed to be a time of reminding others what they mean to us; especially family. However, throughout the holidays we can become so obsessed with out own lives, we may forget to reach out to those in our life who are struggling. It is important to remind others what they mean to us during this season which can be accomplished through a simple text, phone call, or even a christmas present. For those who are not excessively family orientated, like myself, the holidays can become lonely when others are overly invested into themselves. Remember to take care of yourself, but to also check up on those closest to you. After all that is the message of christmas; to spend time with those closest to us. It is also a nice gesture to volunteer at local soup kitchens and nursing homes to spread the holiday spirit to those who may need it most.
2. Prioritize School
During a time of so much chaos, we may forget to prioritize tasks we need to complete for school. As college students, we are constantly being swamped with assignments as well as everyday tasks we need to complete in order to function. In my experience, before I go off to enjoy christmas break with my friends and family, I need to conquer my final exams. It is easy to procrastinate and indulge yourself in the holiday spirit, but to an extent. In order to have a more enjoyable time with friends and family, it is important to get on top of assignments as soon as possible. The holiday season can be one of the biggest distraction periods of the year, but it is also important to take care of yourself and your responsibilities throughout the process.
3. Family
As we get older, we tend to hang out with friends more than we do family. Especially being at college, our families prioritize seeing us when we come home for family orientated seasons such as: Christmas and Thanksgiving. While we want to extend our gratitude to everyone in our lives, it is also important to use the holidays as a time to catch up with our families and reconnect with our relatives that we don’t see during other parts of the year. Some suggested ways to reach out to family members could be through a yankee swap or secret santa gift exchange, a day trip to the city, or a simple reunion for the holidays. At least in my family, we traditionally go to a relatives house for the christmas season.
In all, enjoy the holiday season but do not forget to look around you with gratitude for everything in your life. It is also a time to RELAX with friends and family while cherishing their company while you have limited responsibilities. Enjoy the season before it leaves us for another year. It truly is the most wonderful time.
With Love,
Maddy Miller