Feeling Holi-dazed and Confused? 7 Tips to Bring the Joy Back to Your Holiday

By Erika Fehrenbach Prell

Who caught the reference to the legendary movie Dazed and Confused? This classic movie is a way many of us can feel as the holidays start to unfold. With all the things to do and plan for, it can feel like the holidays are happening to you rather than something you are participating in. And, what follows this feeling of outer chaos? Inner chaos better known as stress!

Anyone feel a little stressed this year? Talk about a 2020 thing to ask, right? To say we have all been experiencing more stress and other negative feelings is an understatement. We all know that the holidays are going to be different. Change in itself brings stress. Compound that to the stress of 2020 and holiday stress and you have a recipe for disaster. 

Whether you feel a bit extra right now, or just the usual holiday stress creeping in, SoulShine wants to help you out of the holidaze, calm that chaos, and bring back the fun to your holidays with a few quick tips!

#1 - Feel the Feels
Sad? Mad? Frustrated? Secretly joyous but don’t want to let on? A roller coaster of all of these? The first step in pulling out of the holidaze is to feel the feels. Pushing them down or ignoring them just adds to the feelings of stress. However, whatever, you are feeling is justified and okay. Feel the feels so you can move on!

#2 - Reality Check
The holidays will look different this year. But, that doesn’t mean it can’t be awesome and special. Get creative on how to celebrate with family and friends through Zoom or other online meetings (I have already seen people doing baking together this way). Just because you aren’t physically together, doesn’t mean it can’t be special or fun...and, one benefit to online meetings is no drive time, which means more time to be together!

#3 - Quit the “What’s Next” Thinking
This simply means be present. Stop worrying about the next thing on your list and enjoy the beautiful moments unfolding right in front of you! Spoiler...this pertains to all moments in life, not just holidays...you’re welcome!

#4 - Keep It Healthy
Gulp. There’s a reason the most common New Year’s resolutions revolve around some version of getting healthy. It is so easy to get off track with healthy decisions over the holiday! Guess what? Making effort to keep it healthy with what you are eating and drinking as well as keep moving helps your energy and reduces stress. Even small efforts in this department will pay off in spades!

#5 - Make a Budget...and Stick to It!
Everything about the holidays is designed to entice you to spend, spend, spend. That’s all fun and games until the credit card bills roll in. Do yourself a favor. Make a list of everyone you want to buy something for, decide how much you can spend without adding financial stress to the pot, then commit to sticking to this! The flash of joy in the moment of purchasing pales in comparison to the stress of overspending. I know, this isn’t sexy or fun but it will serve you well. 

#6 - Take Time for Yourself
Self-care isn’t selfish and should be part of your every day routine, not once in a while. When entering periods of increased stress, you need to up the self-care accordingly. This will help balance it out. 

#7 - Recognize the Unexpected Gift from 2020
Huh? A gift from 2020? Yes! I am willing to bet that you have wished for time to slow down, for commitments to disappear, to perhaps NOT have to do (fill in the blank). 2020 answered you (be careful what you wish for, in case you ever find that mystical genie in a lamp, just saying). Seriously, 2020 has given all of us a reset and reprieve from a packed, overcommitted schedule. This includes the holidays! You can now redesign your holiday as well as your day-to-day schedule to align with your priorities and values. Time is our most precious commodity and now you can take it back and dish it out the way you want it. Don’t waste this gift!

DreamChaser, take a moment and pull yourself out of the holidaze, calm that chaos, and bring joy back to your life and this season. Shine on!

P.S. Did we miss any tips that you would like to add to calm the chaos of the season?