Every year when the holidays come around, there is excitement, nostalgia and sometimes dread at the thought of all that has to get done. Sometimes it is an nonevent because of unforeseen circumstances. No matter what, the pressure is on. The booze is flowing. The cookies are baking and trading. The pot lucks are often bad lucks. So much to do.
At the start of the season with the pumpkin spice turning to pepperminty, it all seems hopeful. However, after a few gatherings or unexpected pitfalls, it can become too much. I always hear by the end of the year--"I'm so glad it's over." Wait a second...it all began so well... but what an end. It doesn't have to be this way.
Imagining your best self showing up in the midst of a busy time of year, on top of your regular life including work, family, commuting, pets, laundry, bill paying, etc. might be too ambitious. So, instead of counting on your best self showing up, what about your best self in the moment showing up? What about pivoting and redirecting your attention where you really want it to go? This is not to say that planning how to handle a social event, dinner out or celebration is not a wise idea. This is to suggest that what if, by chance, you are thrown for a loop in the moment, and your best laid plan is not going to happen. Plan B is your new Plan A/change-a-roo.
Of course, in order to pivot in the moment, you have to be mindful of what is happening, what is being offered, where you position yourself in relation to food opportunities and how you are feeling. The power is always in the present moment. What if you are invited to a party that you have gone to for years, and every year they have served the same kind of healthy food. You have come to expect it, and this year, whoops--it's different. You were planning on that delicious relish tray with grilled veggies and shrimp cocktail, but instead, they are serving frozen cheesey hors d'oeuvres from Costco. YUM. But wait a minute, YUM but major calories from sat fat. Now you can pivot and rethink your options. What looks worthy of indulging in? Can you go and get more bubbly water first? Can you distance yourself from the food for a bit? Can you retreat and go to the restroom and look yourself in the mirror and say--Plan A/change-a-roo starts now?
There is no perfect plan. There is the human plan that gets carried out in very human situations. A healthier holiday plan is what we are looking for. This means that we don't get filled with regret over what happened. We don't have a gut bomb because we overdid it. We don't dread social gatherings because we can't control our impulses. We go to the events that appeal. We enjoy what we can--our friends, the catching up, the fun. We choose mindfully. Afterwards, consider how things went. Do you like what happened? Do you like your pivot? Then, gather wisdom from that experience and use it the next time.
Holly jolly, jingle jangle, ho ho ho and merry berry. If you want it to be. Calm, control, peace, joy. If you want it to be. A little of both. You decide. Then embrace your choices.
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