Giving? Sharing? Happy times? Seeing loved ones? Rest and Relaxation? Spiritual meaning?
Or
Stress? Over spending? Exhaustion? Difficult family dynamics? Shopping? Sad memories?
So many people tell me that they do not look forward to Christmas or that they actually dread it; and this is such a shame.
It is sad that consumerism has taken over Christmas and that most people seem to go along with the spend, spend, spend attitude that the shops push you into. On ‘The Story of Stuff’, Annie Leonard states that only 1 % of stuff given at Christmas is still in use 6 months after being purchased. Therefore a few years ago I decided to stop being pushed into this way of thinking at Christmas, and I suggested to my friends that we meet up and enjoy quality time together rather than buying for each other; and to my surprise they were all relieved!
It is so special to do this and we are so lucky that we have everything that we need generally. During the year if I see something then I will buy it for them and it means much more for both of us. This then leaves Christmas as a lovely time to see friends, give to local causes, volunteer, rest and watch cheesy Christmas films in my pyjamas! If you do still feel the need to exchange presents, perhaps suggest a ‘Secret Santa’ with a group of friends or family – and that way you are only buying one present within a set budget.
Christmas is also a time of year where we can often find ourselves thinking ‘I should do this’ or ‘I should see so and so…’ etc. which can also cause the festive period to become quite stressful. Self-care is SO important for your health and well-being and therefore it is imperative that we start to give ourselves the gift of freedom, and look after ourselves; which means spending time with who you want to, and do what you want…(with some compromises of course)!
Festive love and Peace
Karen Bromley – Hypnotherapist
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