'Tis the season
This is easily my favorite time of the year. Fall is in full swing (even if it occasionally hovers at the border of winter) and we’re about to swan dive into the fluffy mashed-potato pot of holidays. Pass me that gravy!
I also know that holidays can be a really challenging time for some. This time of year, the interwebs flood with all sorts of posts about how to set boundaries, articulate what you need, alternatives to “traditional” holiday celebrations and gatherings…
So as we approach Thanksgiving, here are a few things that may help you engage with gatherings in a different way:
At your dinner table, on the back of the place card in each person’s spot, write something you’re thankful for about THEM. Then, instead of the traditional go-around-the-table-and-say-what-you’re-thankful-for, each person reads what the host has written about them. It’s a way to combine gratitude, connection, and self-celebration.
Conversation at holiday gatherings can be tough when we come together with people we don’t see very often and/or who might have a wide range of perspectives. If you’re hoping to steer away from certain topics, consider asking for life stories that would allow you to know your guests in a way you might not otherwise. This can also be an especially lovely way to invite grandparents and older relatives to share and pass down stories before they’re no longer at our gatherings.
Go for a walk between courses or events. Moving your body and changing locations, even briefly, can help shift your energy and the energy of the group. Even if you’re in a place where the weather outside doesn’t permit a quick walk, consider moving to another room to change things up. It can also promote digestion at feast gatherings!
May you have a restful, peaceful, joyful holiday season, whatever form it may take!
