• Make a list of “to do’s” then prioritize what’s really important and what’s not. You don’t have to do everything. It’s okay to not be perfect and, remember, you can ask for help.
• Decide how you really want to spend time and with whom.You don’t have to please others all the time. Give yourself permission to say “no”.
• Practice self care; take a walk, schedule a massage, take a yoga class, have lunch with a friend, meditate, get enough rest and sleep.
• Remember over-indulging with food and/or alcohol is not healthy and can lead to self-recrimination and depression.
• Create a holiday ritual that gives you joy and energy. Let go of what drains your energy; people, places, things. Don’t “should” on yourself!
• Realistic expectations will help you from being disappointed
• Find ways to give from your heart. It is less expensive and more precious than any gift you could ever buy. And the gift to you is in the giving.

All of the hype around the holidays and what they are “supposed to be”, makes it easy to lose sight of what’s really important. Appreciating the people and the gifts in our life that truly make us happy is more important than the presents we buy, the food we eat, or celebrating on a specific day. Consider asking yourself; What do I really need? What are the gifts in my life? Who do I feel connected to? What gifts do I have to give?

Try practicing compassion and forgiveness, accepting the people in your life for who they are and not who you want them to be.

A beautiful quote by Babatunde Olatunji: Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.