My Plan For Peace, Comfort & Joy

Let’s be real, there is a high level of expectations as well as a hectic hustle and bustle of the holidays. Every day may not be full of cheer, comfort, and joy. It is key to pay attention when you are unhappy or feeling overwhelmed. It is okay to feel sad during the holidays. Recognizing your feelings is the first step to addressing and nurturing them. Develop a plan for when you are feeling stressed, unhappy, or lonely. This plan may include calling a friend, going for a walk, or engaging in an activity that brings joy. Having a plan ahead of time can help make difficult moments more manageable. 

Here is my plan and focus for this holiday season: finding my joy and seeking comfort and peace. I do not feel pressured by what others think is joyful, comforting, or peaceful. It is a personal mission. I am actively resisting the pressure to feed into the holiday “hubbub” that you have to do this or buy that. You don’t. 

What brings you joy and happiness? Find time every day to look for your “joy”. During the holidays, I stay true to my intentional practice of prioritizing experiences over possessions, setting meaningful goals, and taking care of my physical and mental well-being. All of these increase my feelings of joy. You may find joy in discovering things to be grateful for, in giving time to others, and in appreciating the goodness around you. I personally love to bake holiday cookies. Limiting myself to making two types of cookies instead of 5 is much less stressful. I also proactively create a joyful experience for myself. I prefer to bake solo, with holiday music on, and to take my time and enjoy the entire experience. 

While maintaining my joy, I also actively seek comfort and peace. During the holidays, I want to balance out all of the giving and doing with peace. I find comfort in an early night in my jammies, a snuggly blanket, a hot cup of tea, or a good movie to watch as a family. This fills my soul with comfort and peace. 

What gives you comfort? Where do you find solace or tranquility? What activity results in a serene calmness for you? It is my daily discipline to set aside time to be still and quiet, to clear my mind and determine what I need to be my best self during the holiday season. A good walk outside, breathing in the cool air while taking in the beauty of nature, always clears my mind. This allows me to reset my focus to a joyful, peaceful state.  

Join me in pursuing what brings you joy, comfort, and peace this holiday season. And enjoy every minute of your happiness.  Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you and your family!