three ways to be gentle with yourself during the holiday season
collaborative blog written by Isabel Carrington & Sustainable Bliss
The holidays can be a beautiful time but they can also be a source of stress.
We may be visiting family, out of our routines, and there is a huge emphasis on concepts like togetherness and experiencing joy throughout the entire season, which while well-intentioned, can also create a lot of pressure to show up in a certain way.
Due to these changes in routine, it often becomes more difficult to practice self-care in the traditional sense.
And so, it’s important that we are gentle with ourselves and set aside intentional time to rest and disconnect throughout the holiday season.
Here are a few tips to help support you in doing just that.
Some might resonate others might not and that's okay! Take what you can from this post to support you over the holiday season.
keeping some aspects of your daily routine
Our routines set the tone for each day. When we have rituals and routines as staples in our day, it provides a sense of comfort and self-soothing. We can rely on them to ground us, and evoke certain emotions or feelings in us.
When we’re out of our house though, or have friends and family over, it can sometimes interfere with how intentional we are.
We may feel uncomfortable about trying to do our same workout routine in an unfamiliar space, might be interrupted while trying to journal, or are simply so exhausted from entertaining others that we tend to sleep in more or put our self-care off to the side.
Let us first preface this by saying it is completely okay for your routines and rituals to look different in this season. In fact, giving yourself grace by being flexible with these routines can be a beautiful form of self-love – as long as it’s intentional and desired by you.
However, if you’re feeling “off” because of these changes in your routine, our suggestion would be to see where you can include a couple mindful practices throughout your entire day or where you can shorten the length of your daily rituals to continue to fit them in.
Being gentle with yourself means not being super hard on yourself when things look different, or you’re required to show up in a different way. And, it also means recognizing what you need and adjusting your routines in a way that continues to support what you need.
For example, instead of battling to fit in a trip to the gym, maybe it feels aligned to try walking in nature or putting on an at-home Pilates workout! Anything that is peaceful for your mind and body works perfectly during the holidays.
Activities such as journaling or meditation can also be practiced for a short amount of time or done in the evening to help maintain this sense of grounding.
By making these changes, our morning and daily routine remain conscious and intentional, in spite of being slightly different to how they normally are.
intuitive eating and positive self-talk
Something that many people (us included!) struggle with is maintaining “healthy” eating habits during the holidays.
Maybe you find that you give into peer pressure, have the desire to experience food to its fullest or simply don’t have access to the same foods you normally do.
The thoughts that we hold about food and what we eat vary between different cultures and backgrounds, but in general the holidays celebrate themes like indulgence and treating yourself to a point that can sometimes be overwhelming.
This is where intuitive eating and positive self-talk comes into play. Food is all about balance and nourishment.
So, know that it’s okay if this is a time you’d like to indulge a little bit more. Maybe the nourishment you need is in enjoying a delicious savoury meal or dessert you wouldn’t normally make! Maybe it is in enjoying an extra glass of wine or eating at different hours than you normally would so you can spend more time in conversation and laughter with your loved ones.
However, also know that it’s okay if these things don’t feel aligned. It’s okay if you want to maintain some of your same eating habits, and you don’t need to feel pressured to show up and indulge over the holiday season if it doesn’t feel good, just because “that’s the way things have always been done.”
If you’re looking for a few suggestions for maintaining your eating habits, consider being the person who brings the vegan option or the vegetable tray to the party. Or simply consider preparing options for yourself the night before so that you have some nourishing food in the fridge to turn to at the times that work for you.
You could also recreate traditional recipes into versions that meet your dietary requirements or desires!
And, if pressure about eating certain foods comes from those around you, remind yourself why you choose to nourish yourself in this way.
And one final reminder that it’s equally okay to also indulge in something that you usually wouldn’t.
You don’t need to justify your decisions to anyone else, other than yourself, and you don’t need to act in a specific way just because of the people you’re around.
Come home to yourself and listen to what your body and soul are asking for.
And, no matter what you choose to do, always speak kindly to yourself and your body, and give gratitude for the food that you eat.
taking a break
I remember coming across a quote by Yumi Sakugawa that read ‘your definition of abundance can include the space you have in your life for rest, rejuvenation, naps, taking long breaks, practicing stillness, doing nothing’.
These words are something to carry with you during the holiday season.
While the holidays can be busy, they are also a time to lean into themes like rest and rejuvenation. The cooler weather encourages us to stay inside, to get cozy, and to listen to ourselves.
You are allowed to experience moments of solitude.
You are allowed to rest.
You are allowed to set boundaries.
You are allowed to say no when something doesn’t feel aligned.
The events you choose to attend and traditions you decide to follow are entirely up to you.
To feel good long-term, rest is essential. So make time for it!
final thoughts and journal prompts
Know that even if this season looks different for you, it holds value.
You haven’t failed if you don’t keep up with your routines or habits or if you have a different sleep schedule.
Lean into what the season offers for you, and give yourself grace.
Consider,
What do I love about the holidays?
When or where do I feel really good and energized throughout the holiday season?
When or where do I feel like my energy is drained throughout the holiday season?
What limiting beliefs, old patterns, or negative thoughts do I need to let go of in order to embrace this season?
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about the author
Isabel Carrington is a wellness enthusiast and content writer who cares deeply about living consciously.
She is most passionate about following daily rituals that support who we want to become. Like many, Isabel has often felt disconnected to herself both internally and outwardly.
While struggling through these emotions, she came to the realization that self-care and a safe space to heal is essential. Isabel has since started a business of wellness boxes, spread the word of self-compassion through different platforms and collaborated with like-minded brands and individuals.
She is always seeking to support educational, sustainable and ethically-minded projects. Her beliefs are that in order to live a fulfilling life, we must build a relationship with ourselves and be authentic to who we are.
