Consider A Holiday Makeover

We are coming upon the holidays again.

A few years ago I found myself pretty burned out during the holidays and everything they entailed.

My experience was that I was stuck for a couple of months doing all the things I really don't enjoy and I couldn't wait for January to roll around for me to resume my life and spiritual routine.

Here is a list of some of the items that didn't work for me:

1. Too much food and events/parties centered on eating and drinking too much

(Not to mention the guilt trips from fellow participants if one didn't want to participate)

2. Expectation and stress levels surrounding gift giving and receiving

3. Meeting with people I really didn't want to see

4. Collective stress that could be felt all throughout public places

5. Not enough evidence of spiritual energy as a center/focal point of celebration

I got so annoyed that I decided to skip the holidays altogether. There were no lights and no decorations, I didn't send out holiday cards, informed friends and family that I would like to skip the exchange of gifts, was a no show to any social event and one year I escaped to Costa Rica to a Yoga Retreat for a couple of weeks and got back early January once the whole hoopla was over.

My holiday boycott lasted four years. That was the time frame my system needed to detoxify from all the annoyance and to start missing all the good stuff that holidays have to offer.

I started to see the beauty in the lights and the decorations again, appreciated the seasonal changes, the heartfelt exchanges with loved ones, the opportunity to celebrate Spirit and a time to be reflective and grateful.

As much as I developed a longing for the special time during the year, I had no intention to go back to all the things I didn't enjoy, so I decided to reclaim the holidays and celebrate them in accordance to my heart and soul.

Here are some of my new guidelines:

1.No Stress!

2. Spirit comes first!

3. Any decorations and events have to be supported by point 1 and 2

4. I make plenty of time for meditation, prayer and soul-searching rituals by myself and to share with my friends and family

5. I choose to share holiday greetings and gifts only if they are heartfelt expressions and avoid auto piloted behavior

6. I allow each year to be different and spend some time meditating before the holidays on what feels right for this year

So, if you happen to be tired, burned out and dread the thought of another holiday season, give yourself a chance for a holiday makeover.

If you fear the rejection of loved ones, I can guarantee you that more people are burned out than you think and they might actually appreciated some changes.

Happy, blessed holidays to all of you! May you and your loved ones enjoy a peaceful season!