5 Ways To Turn Your Holiday Blues Around

This time of year can be extremely ruff for many of us. This year may add some extra stress due to inflation and recent lay offs at big tech companies like Amazon and Meta. There are families who also have not recovered from the previous years shut down or having lost someone during the pandemic. There are others who are still recovering from illness. Lets be honest life is hard and there are so many reasons we could choose to opt out of the holidays this year. You would have every right to. Girl I’m tired too. But what good would locking myself in this season do. It definitely won’t help. This is the perfect time to show how grateful we are just to have breath in our bodies. This also is a great time to make deeper connections with those we love, create traditions, and enjoy the cold weather.

Here are five ways to snap our of your holiday funk.

Remember the reason for the season

Christmas has become commercialized. It has turned into the race to have the most picture perfect decorations, find the most luxurious gifts and make the most scrumptious dishes. If you think about it really none of that matters. What is Christmas to you without all the razzle dazzle? As a Christian the holiday season is a time where we remember the birth of Jesus. The baby placed in a manager who became a King. What a transformational story. A man who knew no blame but gave his life in the most horrific way so that we may know life and life more abundantly. 

For the son of Man has come to seek and to save which was lost.

Luke 19:10

To get back to the heart of Christmas try doing an Advent study or reading  the birth of Jesus story . I plan on reading Because of Bethlehem by Max Lucado. I’ve been caught up in the magic of it all.

Connect and Communicate

Often times when we are going through a ruff season we tend to hunker down and wait for it to pass. Isolation is the worst thing you can do in a tough time. It is easier but it may mean that you will continue to experience your particular struggle for longer. There is someone in your circle that may have a perspective or a strategy that pulls you out of your dark cloud. Trust me I know. I was not in the holiday spirit at all. It took one line from my cousin to knock me back into reality. There wasn’t a good reason for me to not participate in the holiday season. I was just being stubborn because things were not how I thought they should be. 

Get out of your comfort zone

Maybe the reason your in funk is because of your environment. The best way to test it out is to get out of your comfort zone. Taking day trips is an easy was to change your environment for a few hours. If your bold and have some money to spend a quick overnight trip can also be just the thing to shift your perspective.While out and about take in the holiday sights at markets and festivals. Enjoy festive outdoor activities like ice skating and light shows. Window shopping is also a great idea.

Donate or Volunteer

I don’t think nothing gets you into the holiday spirit like giving back to others. There are various ways and levels you can show a little kindness and grace to those in your community.  Some of the ways I dream of giving back are  to  adopt a family or a child for the holidays. This can even be done by adopting a child in your neighborhood or family whose parents are having a hard time. Other small ways to give back throughout the season are things like giving to food drives, doing random acts of kindness while out and about, paying for a family’s groceries. Doing some shopping for your elderly neighbor. I’ll have a whole post coming up with unique ways you can give this season. 

Create your signature Playlist

Once all the turkey is eaten I dust of my record player and put on the Mo-Town Christmas hits. If you grew up in an African American family you know that the Christmas season does not officially start until you hear Silent Night by The Temptations. From there Mariah Carey’s all I want for Christmas carries us into the season. However I have created my signature list of songs that never fail to give me some holiday cheer. I play the list at work, while at the gym or in the evening while I’m lounging or wrapping gifts. I’m telling you a signature holiday play list gives you all the vibes. I created a short one for you. I hope you enjoy it. 

Find The Root Of The Issue

Journaling is a great way to work through your winter blues and begin to build a better outlook. JTaking the time to journaling has been known to help relieve stress, provide inspiration, clarity, and a release of negative feelings. Journaling is a great daily practice but in a season where emotions are high journaling can help us navigate toward a more positive mindset.

Try these journaling prompts. All you need is a note book or sheet of paper.

1. What does the holiday season mean to me?
2. What am I most grateful for?
3. How has God been faithful thus far?
4. How can I be a more giving person this season?
5. What is my ideal christmas day/ Season
6. Write a christmas story of your own
7. What is the most meaningful gift you have given or received?
8. What is my favorite childhood tradition and why?
9. What is your best childhood memory and why?
10. How has Christmas changed now as an adult and how can I bring the magic back?

I pray that these five tips help you build that Christmas spirit back. If you’ve discovered a new tradition or activity that helps you be more festive we would love to hear about it. Please leave a comment on the blog. Also share with friends and family who are having a hard time this season. We love you all. Happy holidays.