Get Rid of Holiday Stress Once and for All

30 Nov 2011 ⋅ by Linda EspositocloseAuthor: Linda Esposito Name: Linda Esposito
Email: linda@talktherapybiz.com
Site: http://www.talktherapybiz.com
About: Linda Esposito, LCSW created TalkTherapyBiz because mental health is an imperative. When adults realize their reality is created through their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, they are less likely to project their crap onto the children around them. And children have exactly one shot at childhood.See Authors Posts (101) ⋅ in For Anxious Minds and Souls ⋅ 14 Comments ⋅ Tags: anxiety, holiday stress, how to cope during the holidays, psychology, psychotherapy

What causes holiday stress?

Hint: two words.

Hmm…

You know the holidays are predictable, right?

So, why not turn that faux-celebratory stress and anxiety on its conspicuously consumeristic and over-the-top ass by trying to be less.

That’s right.

When others drink too much, eat too much, spend too much, and complain too much–why not commit to something different?

Second hint: Too.

Think of this as a new family tradition.

Even if you’re the only practicing member.

Final hint: Much.

And the antidotes for Too and Much?

Exactly.

To and Do.

As in To Do something different from complex, loud, and shallow.

Something simple, quiet, and profound.

Let others succumb to dysfunctional family history, maxed-out VISA accounts, and rum-spiked eggnog hangovers.

Not you, baby.

You’re going for new, fresh, and guaranteed, when jumpstarting those godforsaken New Year’s Resolutions.

Check out this simple, quiet, yet powerful poem shared by the lovely Cherry Woodburn of BorderlessThinking.com.

Because YOU CAN rewrite your holiday story and those exhausting patterns, family dynamics and anxious thoughts by following the beauty and simplicity of the following:

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS~by Portia Nelson

Chapter I

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in.

I am lost … I am helpless.

It isn’t my fault.

It takes me forever to find a way out.

Chapter II

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don’t see it.

I fall in again.

I can’t believe I am in the same place.

But, it isn’t my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter III

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I still fall in … it’s a habit.

My eyes are open.

I know where I am.

It is my fault.

I get out immediately.

Chapter IV

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

Chapter V

I walk down another street.

***

What’s the name of your newly paved street, place, or avenue?

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{Photo: irene2cartoon via Flickr}