Entry #10: Put More Function in Your Holiday Dysfunction
As you read this, stores are playing “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas” on nauseating repeat. Feeling like you deserve an Oscar for best leading role in your movie Holidays With My Toxic Family yet? Let’s learn practical mental health tips that you can easily apply to your life so that you can create new memories that actually bring “Joy to Your World!”
- Plan ahead for November, December and January events that you ACTUALLY want to attend by putting dates in your calendar as a family or couple. This way you can say no (without guilt) because we’ve decided how we want to spend our time.
- Why go to gatherings for the holidays where you hardly know anyone? Giving yourself permission to NOT go to parties that don’t give you “comfort and joy” is not wrong. Maybe you would rather go skating, go to a parade or go on a tropical vacation instead of going to the work Christmas party that always makes you feel uncomfortable.
- Now that you have decided where you want to be and who you want to spend your time with this festive time of year, this next strategy is GOLD! Let’s say that you are going to a family event because you do want some time with certain people that will be there, but there are also people that you don’t enjoy. For these situations, we set a time limit while creating a set plan. My bipolar symptoms can cause me feelings of overwhelm. We show up to dinner when it’s time to eat, open presents, eat cake and then leave. I recommend no longer than an hour and a half per visit in these cases. Implementing a time limit keeps you in control of the situation while allowing you to experience the parties on your terms. With time limits, there isn’t space enough for things to spiral out of control.
What tips are game changers for your holidays? We’d love to hear from you at www.instagram.com/momandcaregivermagazine.
Stephanie Preston creates powerful, humorous videos on managing bipolar disorder symptoms. She is a Social Service Worker, Health Care Aide and suffers from severe bipolar depression herself. She is the proud wife of St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston, loves being a grandma and is Crossfit obsessed. Follow her at www.tiktok.com/@bipolaronthebrain and www.facebook.com/bipolaronthebrain.
