What is it about the holidays that makes people feel all the feelings around the people that they love? Now add another layer – COVID, restrictions and recommendations, and different comfort levels and opinions 😬
Open conversation and communication might be key factors in navigating tough interactions this holiday season. So, how can you prepare ahead of time? What conversations do you deem ‘safe’, and which do you deem ‘no-go’? Take some time to jot these things down ahead of time, and share those with someone in your life who can help support the conversation topics. If something comes up that is upsetting to you try to:
- Pause and take that moment to put your filter on. Retorts made out of a jerk instinct or frustration can add fuel to the fire.
- Politely excuse yourself (go breathe!)
- On your breathing break, remember that feelings aren’t facts, it’s ok to be [insert your feeling], and breathe into it
- Ask yourself: “How do I want to reenter?”
- Enter the conversation again when you’re ready
If you feel it necessary to revisit what was upsetting to you in the conversation with another person, do so with your intentions clear by asking yourself, “What do you want to achieve?”
There’s a lot here to mull over. Give yourself time and space to come to your gatherings as you.
Want to schedule time to think through things with me? Schedule a mini-coaching engagement to help get you through.
