I know, it’s that time of year again. Thanksgiving is right in front of us and that means Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas and New Year’s is right around the corner. We each have our own version of the perfect holiday. We each have our own version of holidays gone bad. Regardless of your version, it is difficult to escape all the hype and expectations that surround this time of year. Holidays tend to exert tremendous pressure on our relationships. They magnify everything—the fact that you’re not married, married to a jerk, have no family around, have family around that you rather not see, are currently out of work, have no money to spend on gifts this year, and so on and so on. Whether you are filled with gratitude or filled with dread, the holidays will undoubtedly test your patience, tolerance, attitudes, expectations, beliefs, and most of all, your relationships. Talk about the ultimate mirror for you and your life.
So how can we counteract this inherent pressure we feel around this time of year? How can we enjoy the spirit of the holidays without getting caught up with all the hype? How can we get through family gatherings without feeling any angst or depression the day after?
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