Holiday

Joyful Family Time

Joyful Family Time

Sheri Here!

This is the time that we are going to be around family and we really want it to be joyful family time.  Frequently these relationships can be challenging, and spending time together can be tumultuous.

While we may want to enjoy peaceful time together, there may be some touchy moments.  There are a few tools that could be helpful to deal with these sessions.

  1. Come from love and kindness – when you come from love and kindness rather than a place of agitation and anger, you come across as a gentler person with a less harsh response and interaction.
  2. Pause when agitated – If someone has started poking at you and you want to snap back a snarky response – pause – bite your tongue, take a deep breath and then reconsider what your response will be. Possibly not even respond with anything other than “You could be right”.  And leave it at that.
  3. Exercise self-compassion – know that your family can push your buttons and allow yourself space and breathing time. Be kind to yourself and don’t beat yourself up.  Maybe take a walk to bring a bit of nature’s benefit to your rescue and to lower any angst or anxiety.
  4. Turn your family over to God – Say a quick prayer before you enter a room, especially with a particularly troublesome person in it. Give them to God and pray that they have a warm and loving time with the family.  If nothing else, it puts you in a spot of kindness before anything is said.

By being a bit of serenity in the family gathering, if it gets contentious, you can have a peaceful and serene time with people you may see infrequently, for good reason.

What other suggestions and techniques do you have that work for you in the midst of family drama?  Hit reply and let me know!

Around Town 

The next 3 Keys to Radically Transform Your Life and Finances Workshop is on December 20, 2022, at 2pm PT.  This is your chance to learn my 5-step process that will radically transform your financial reality no matter what beliefs or stories have held you back up until now. I’d love to see your there. You can register here.

Ciao,

Sheri

Holiday Self-Care

Sheri Here!

Here we are smack dab in the middle of the holidays.  One of the most important things at this point is Holiday Self-Care.

You may say its too late, I’m already a frazzled mess.  To the contrary – it’s never too late!

There are several keys components to self-care at this time of year: schedule, budget, shopping list, rest, help, and fun!

Schedule

Don’t over-plan or over-schedule yourself – leave room on the calendar to breathe and rest.

You may have lots of things to squeeze in, buying and wrapping gifts, making the holiday cookies, decorating the house, attending the kids or grandkids school celebrations, etc., etc., etc.

If necessary, say NO!  No is a complete sentence and really doesn’t require explanation.  But, if you feel you must, you can say: “No, thank you, we’re already committed for that day, time, or evening, etc.”

That is sufficient.  If the person who has invited you knows you and is a friend, that should be enough.  If they try to badger you, politely say, “I’ve got to go” and get off the phone.  If they are a good friend, they will understand.

Budget

Last week, we chatted in my blog about the importance of a budget (See Keep Your Eye on Your Wallet).  It is never too late to put together a quick budget with the things left to buy.  That’ll give you financial guidance like the schedule gives you time management guidance and gives you the freedom to know where you stand and to make good decisions.

Shopping List

This list covers gifts as well as food for entertaining and potlucks.  A list allows you to keep track in black and white, rather than relying on your memory to remember all the key things you need.

You can then group all the items by location, e.g., shopping mall, internet shopping or the grocery store.  This helps you stay organized and reduce the number of trips you need to schedule and save yourself some time.  Or if you must make an unscheduled stop at the grocery store, you might be able to pick up a few things, and save yourself another trip.

Having a gift list is also helpful – it makes certain you’ve remembered everyone, including your postal clerk, your children’s teachers, your hair stylist and other service folks in addition to family and friends who make the list.  It helps make shopping easier, too, because you can group things by location or store and reduce some of the running about.

Rest

Even though you may prescribe to the “I’ll rest when I retire” theory, resting during this busy time of year is important for several reasons.   These reasons include: you can have fun during this time of year, your resistance to getting sick is high, and you are fun to be around!

Help

Ask for help from friends, family, the kids, and the neighbors. As needed, allow yourself to ask and accept offers of help.

Since my husband has had limitations on his mobility, my neighbor has helped me get down some of the Holiday decorations, which are difficult for me to do alone.

The day of holiday entertainment, when others offer, say YES, rather than be a martyr to doing it alone.  Better yet, make it a potluck and allow others to contribute, it makes it easier on you and your budget.

Have FUN

Make this a season of fun and gratitude.  Be a spark of light at the festivities you attend.  That spark becomes easier when you are not overextended timewise or financially, you’ve gotten good rest, and said YES to help.

This is a season known for good tidings and joy (see my blog Joy, ‘Tis the Season or Is It?). Be the bearer of both and enjoy your time with others.

What are some of your favorite ways of holiday self-care?  Share by hitting the reply – inquiring minds (mine) want to know!!

Around Town

The next 3 Keys to Radically Transform Your Life and Finances Workshop is on December 20, 2022, at 2pm PT.  This is your chance to learn my 5-step process that will radically transform your financial reality no matter what beliefs or stories have held you back up until now. I’d love to see your there. You can register here.

Ciao,

Sheri

What’s Up with You?

Sheri here,

Last week my newsletter was about preparing for the holidays, primarily about budgets – time and money.  I also included a bit about attitude.

This week I’d like to chat a bit more about holiday attitudes.  We have almost 90 days until New Year’s Day – the official end to the holiday season.  That’s a fairly long time if your attitude is suffering.

Holidays are Hard for Some

Some people really have a hard time at the holidays.  It could be the first year without someone or the anniversary of an event that was unhappy or sad.

If you find yourself in that category, be gentle with yourself, exercise self-compassion.  Don’t overextend yourself.  Maybe pick a couple of low-key events with a couple of friends and show up and find joy in the moment.

I learned a long time ago, that sadness and joy could co-exist.  It may seem like a travesty, especially if you are processing fresh grief.  But it is possible to experience both.

In fact, the sadness, the darkness supports us in understanding how special, how blessed experiencing joy can be.  They are 2 sides to the same coin.

Some Solutions to the Blues

Maybe massive decorations are too much – but what about one pumpkin or some fall flowers?  Some candy for the trick or treaters.

Try a walk around a craft store, it gets you out and shows you some of the possibilities of the season.

You don’t need to do any of them, except take in the festivities, the possibilities of the season.

Just hold that possibility door open – you may not see anything that calls you to take it home; but the bright colors and fun decorations are a lot of fun and a great potential to change your attitude to just a little cheerier.

If Sadness Continues – Seek Help

If the sadness continues, if it gets too bad and persists for too long, seek help.  There are mental health specialists that can chat with you and support you in treating a serious case of the blues.

That’s ok – we’ve all had them at one time or another and it passes – just like the holidays.

My wish for you is that you find delight and happiness in the season; that you can hear the laughter of children and appreciate the joy of the season.

Drop me a note – leave a comment below and let me know where you are this year.  Would love to hear from you whether you are happy or otherwise.

Me? I’m enjoying seeing the decorations and planning some special treats for those around me.  My hope for you is the same.

Around town

My book, Everything I Learned About Life I Learned on Vacation is now available for sale on Amazon – you can buy it here – enjoy both the book and the season!

Have a blessed week.

Ciao,

Sheri

The Blessings in Our Life

Sheri here –

Here we are at Thanksgiving – the day dedicated to food, family, friends, football and a big dose of gratitude.

Even in these changed times, those traditions will continue. While some of the regular guests around the table may be missing, a few due to social distancing or worse – there is still much to be grateful for. When we practice gratitude, so many more blessings come our way.

Gratitude is the emotion we feel as we express appreciation and thanks. What are you grateful for?

I’ve heard an abundance of conversations about virtual gatherings whether Zoom, FaceTime or your favorite video chat app. There are lots of creative ways of sharing time with others.

Plans for festivities abound. Within your immediate household, you can express thanks at the dinner table, play games, watch movies, bake sweets and even start decorating your home for the holidays. Include your extended family and friends via Zoom or FaceTime in some of those activities. Try something different like hosting a holiday movie marathon.

Choose to make this Thanksgiving special, filled with love, joy and kindness. Find ways to savor the day and celebrate gratitude and life.

Give thanks for the many blessings in your life. Have an attitude of gratitude!
“May your days be many, and your troubles be few.
May all God’s blessings descend upon you.
May your heart be strong.
May you find what you’re seeking wherever you roam.”
Irish Blessing

Ciao and Happy Thanksgiving,

Sheri

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