Adding “No” to Your Holiday Vocabulary

While the holidays can bring joy, they can also bring stress.

• Financial stress – Can I afford to buy all these gifts?
• Emotional stress – I wish I didn’t have to go to all of these get-togethers.
• Physical stress – I can’t believe I ate all of those cookies!

There is a lot of information about how to reduce stress during this time of year, and one of the most effective ways is to add the words, “No thank you,” to your holiday vocabulary.

You have that option.

Question: Would you like to go to an ugly sweater party with me?

Optional Answer: No, thank you.

Question: Do you think we should blow our budget and get that really cool toy for our child that’s so popular this year?

Optional Answer: No, thank you.

Questions: Should I do more baking? Do I want to send out cards? Do I want to put up all those decorations? Do I want to buy my second cousin’s ex-stepdaughter a gift…? Optional Answers: No. No. No. And No. Thank you.

Simplifying your holiday activities by saying “No” to those things you don’t really want to do can go a long way in helping you reduce and manage stress.

Saying “No” enables you to step out of the rush and into your Being. And that is where the peace and calm are.

When we live from our center – our Being – we have access to an inner wisdom, an inner voice or gut instinct that we can use to guide our decision making. If you listen to your inner voice, you’ll know what to say “Yes” to and what to say “No” to during the holidays and into the New Year.

“No” is an option. Are you ready to add “No” to your holiday vocabulary?

Deanna S., MA| WHEN Being Advisor