The holiday season is a cheerful time of year to reconnect with family and friends, exchange gifts, and celebrate shared traditions. It is all about catching up with loved ones and forgetting differences. The festivities can sometimes be overwhelming, so it’s important that you remember what matters most and reaffirm your values.
My favorite thing about the holiday season is the new and old traditions that I share with my family and friends. Going to the Christmas tree farm with my family, decorating the tree, and doing Secret Santa with my gal friends are some of the reasons that I love the season.
On the other hand, I get overwhelmed easily with the consumerism and waste that goes along with the festivities. Being inside a department store with Christmas music blaring in mid-November is enough to keep me away from shopping for months. Most of the overwhelm happens when I am not keeping my values front and center. Here are some reflection points for staying true to your beliefs to avoid feeling burnt out.
Does your spending align with your values?
The holidays can be a time when our spending habits get out of hand. I definitely spend more during the holidays than other times of the year. Not only because I’m buying gifts, but also because of all the sales that are hard to pass by! Try to take note of your spending habits and whether they align with your values.
Values that I try to keep in mind during the holiday include sustainability and supporting small businesses. When you are successful in finding gifts that align with this, it is a win/win scenario. You feel good about spending your money in a meaningful way and you give a unique and special gift. If you share these values, a tip on aligning with them is to seek out artisan/small business holiday markets. If you live in an urban area, these are easy to find with a simple google search.
What are some of your values that you want to keep in mind during the holiday season?
Connect and reaffirm your values with loved ones
One of the best ways to reaffirm your values during the holidays is by connecting with friends and family who share them. Spend time with people who understand and support you and talk about topics that are important to you. I see a lot of family members during the holiday that I don’t always see throughout the year. Something that I would like to improve upon is making the most out of this time with family. I have a lot of family members that have unique interests and skills, but we don’t always take the time to catch up. It can be easier to stick by your squad that you see year-round, but it’s more rewarding to connect with someone outside your regular circle. By branching out to those who you don’t see often enough, you can deepen bonds, exchange ideas, and get inspired.
A meaningful holiday season
The holiday season is an exciting, yet overwhelming time of year. To stay true to your values and maintain balance, it’s important to be mindful of your spending, and connect with friends or family members. When you are intentional about staying connected to your values during the holidays, you can avoid some of the overwhelming and tiring aspects that go along with the fun. This holiday season, I hope that you remember to take care of yourself and enjoy the quality time that is unique to the season. Happy Holidays!
Hi I’m Delia! I am a young professional writing my first blog series, Gen Z Career Journal. I write about navigating the workplace to figure out how to balance a meaningful career, productivity and wellbeing. I hope that people of all ages will read my words and be inspired to be true to themselves in their career.
