How do you want to feel when the holidays are over?

Yesterday, we held our family Thanksgiving. Coordinating 30-ish busy people to sit down for a meal isn’t easy. But this year we faced the added challenge that our perennial hosts (my parents) were going to be out-of-town.

So… November 14th became the official kickoff for the 2021 holiday season. Now with nearly 47 years of experience, I know the next 6-ish weeks will fly by. We’ll do a lot, buy a lot, and eat a lot. And as great as it always is, I also know the question that’s coming too.

Was it enough? Too much? Or just right?

Did the kids enjoy it? Did we? Did I?

Did I?

Grappling with this question on January 2nd never feels good. Unchecked, it can feel like regret, frustration, insecurity, loneliness, etc.

So, today’s journal prompt is an attempt to get ahead of that a bit. Think ahead to how you want to feel after the holidays.

Now back into it.

What can you do to up the chances of landing there? (Recognizing what’s in your control here- this isn’t an invitation to write a manual for how other people should behave.)

What can you do for yourself and others that is more likely to produce that result?

I’m thinking about hosting a very light, informal, anything-goes kind of group call where we can talk about what we really want for the holidays. Let me know if you’re interested in joining.