It's time to be honest about Christmas

Some of you will be super excited and already have plans for Christmas Day, presents, menus and everything else that goes with your Christmas sorted. But for others, Christmas isn't an easy time. 

How do you feel about Christmas?

I'm a fan of you being honest with yourself at the best times and Christmas is no exception. There can be so much stress associated with this one event. Worries about what to buy so you don't offend people, spending more than you can afford, and family matters that make putting together a plan fraught with difficulty or perhaps you don't have family or close friends to be with at Christmas. 

Rather than me continuing to list why you might find Christmas stressful, I'll stop there and turn it over to you. Take time to think about and write down what is stressful for you. Don't judge or criticise yourself for what you're thinking or how you're feeling, and nothing is too small, write it down.

I used to worry that what I cooked wouldn't be good enough. I'd prepare way more than what was needed and have bought pre-made food as backups (just in case). It was madness and stressful, not to mention expensive! Then some years ago I let it go. I no longer put pressure on myself to be perfect and to make everything from scratch, and I consciously stopped judging what I make.

How can you take the pressure off yourself?

For one of my client's Christmas grocery shopping was stressful. Inevitably she left the shopping until quite close to Christmas (sometimes the day before), and she did it after work (along with 100s of other people!). We looked at some options, and she decided to order the groceries online and then pick them up (click and collect). 

Another client found Christmas Day particularly challenging. There wasn't enough time in the day to get everything done, and she didn't enjoy Christmas. Now she has a plan of what needs to be done. But it's more than a plan just for the day, some of the jobs are done in advance and some are delegated to family, even the children help. 

And here's one more example. This particular client found Christmas to be a painful emotional experience and forced himself to go to functions. We talked about his thoughts and feelings, and he realised that he didn't have to say "yes" to everything. He's now more selective about what he goes to and finds it easier to say "no" without beating himself up.

Now if you love Christmas and you've got everything in hand, rock on! But if there's something you find challenging about Christmas put it down on paper and think about what the right thing is for you. Then decide what you'll change and what you'll commit to. 

You, beautiful, deserve all the joy and peace that is at the heart of Christmas. 

If you find Christmas a challenging time and would like to talk about what goes on for you so you can develop a strategy that works for you, let me know.

Tracey Hancock is a coach and mentor passionately committed to helping people live well. Drawing on her own life experience and the lessons she's learnt trying to be and do what she thought was expected of her, Tracey will guide you to reconnect with yourself, putting you and your health at the heart of everything you do in life and business.

If you know it's time to be you and live your real life, contact Tracey today to learn more about the REALiving approach.