Traditions Inventory

You did it; you made the decision to celebrate differently this year. You're imagining, dreaming, and hoping for a fun, slow, reflective, joyful holiday season. You just don't want the same kinds of overwhelming and overstimulating experiences you've had in the past.

That intention is a great and necessary place to start. To progress, it's important to reflect on what happened in years' past. While you can't control everything, there are some decisions and actions that are within your control. Start by taking stock of years' past. What are the most memorable experiences you had? Was it that frantic Christmas dinner prep? Was it that quiet 30 minutes you had to yourself after the kids went to bed? The thing is that there are events and there are experiences. Sometimes they line up beautifully where the event (the thing we're doing) is fun and enjoyable (the emotional experience). But sometimes they're rougher than that and the event is frustrating or hard or chaotic. Same event, two different outcomes. If we've having challenging experiences and the goal is to enjoy our events, something has to change. Maybe it's the event itself that has to be tweaked or skipped altogether. If that doesn't seem like a realistic option, then it's our mindset or response that may need to be adjusted.

The truth is It is those events end up being our traditions and our *feels* of the holidays. Each season is marked by a tapestry of experiences, woven together by the little moments and the repeated experiences that we hold in our hearts with joy or with dread. These events, whether grand or simple, create a framework for our celebrations, influencing how we perceive and engage with the holiday spirit. As we gather with family and friends, the familiar sounds, tastes, and sights transport us back to previous years, igniting memories that can bring both warmth and a sense of longing.

Take a minute to reflect on the events and moments that stand out from holidays past and decide what you want to continue, adjust, or stop. Consider the laughter shared around the dinner table, the warmth of a cozy gathering, or perhaps the chaos of last-minute preparations. Each of these experiences contributes to the rich fabric of our holiday memories. Ask yourself what aspects of these traditions resonate with you deeply, what brings you joy, and what may feel burdensome or outdated. Perhaps there are certain activities that you look forward to each year, like baking special treats or decorating the house in a particular way, which you want to carry on. Conversely, there may be traditions that have become stressful or no longer hold the same meaning, and it might be time to let them go or modify them. In this process of reflection and decision-making, you have the opportunity to curate your holiday experiences intentionally. By thoughtfully considering what traditions to uphold and which to evolve, you can craft a holiday season and practice celebrating with a little more intention. #celebrateslowly

Download the Traditions Inventory here:

Traditions Inventory.pdf

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This is from step 1 of "7 Steps to Celebrating Well." Check out the full blog post here for more on how to celebrate well.