Keep Your Sanity with These 6 Go-To Holiday Survival Strategies

Could you use a few go-to holiday survival strategies that are simple and actually work?

I know I can—by this time last year I had hit the panic button for about the fifth time and it was a relatively quiet holiday season.

These holiday survival strategies are for anyone who loves the holidays but still feels the pressures and frustrations that come with the season.

Are you ready? Okay, let’s dive in—

1. Mix Things Up to Keep Things New.

Three years ago on LifeUntucked®, I proposed that “mixing things up” was the best holiday survival strategy while in the thick of the pandemic. Since the idea seemed to resonate, I’m keeping it at the top of the list. (You can read the post here.) 

According to UrbanDictionary.com, to mix it up means, “to do something fun/entertaining and/or exciting.” Or “to add a difference to anything you’re doing.” Fairly straightforward, right?

Since then, we’ve found ways to work around the lingerings-on of the pandemic while staying relatively safe (even if it means wearing a hot, sweaty mask during a 2-hour concert in a standing-room-only cathedral). After all that, I believe most would agree that we could still use some simple, reliable holiday survival strategies to see us through the season. So here are five more…

2. Discover New Ways to Celebrate and Start New Traditions.

Getting back to normal doesn’t preclude adding new experiences. If what you used to do isn’t working out or you can’t make it happen this year, then start a new tradition.

In a post I read on caregiver.com, Helen Hunter, ACSW, LSW recommends that we “Start traditions that make the most sense to you in your life now. It doesn’t always have to be done the same way every year.”

I believe this is where many of us are tempted to try to force family traditions on others. It’s for good reason after all. We have fond memories of years gone by and we want to feel that way again. What if your new tradition was sharing those memories gathered around the fireplace with your favorite holiday beverage?

Lanette and I are learning this one after our move to New Mexico. Santa Fe seriously leans into celebrating the holidays. There’s something “holiday” for everyone nearly every day of the holiday season.

So, that’s helping us get out and experience the holidays again. With multiple cultures in one city, we can’t help but make new discoveries as long as we don’t wimp out because it’s too cold out there.

Check out the goings-on where you live and see what’s happening.

3. Listening to “Understand” Is Safer Ground

Sometimes holiday gatherings, especially some family holiday gatherings, seem to have, let’s say, their explosive moments. I thought of this as I read Greg McKeown’s post on his “1-Minute Wednesday.” The title was “Stop Thinking You Have to Agree or Disagree.”

Think about this for a moment… these days, almost everyone listens with the intent to agree or disagree. That’s probably you and me too. We all need to work on stopping that.

Greg asks, “What if, instead of trying to win the conversation, we could create a space between agreeing and disagreeing?” One where we are actively listening to understand what the other person is trying to say.

Maybe crazy Uncle Bill isn’t so crazy after all. Maybe he just wants to be heard and understood along with the rest of us who’ve gotten into the habit of keeping score rather than having a grown-up conversation.

And if Uncle Bill really is crazy, then a simple response like, “Wow Uncle Bill, that’s interesting. I haven’t heard that before. I’ll have to give that one some thought.”

4. Lower the “Expectations” Bar for Better Outcomes.

One of the main causes for holiday upset is the human tendency to expect certain events to turn out a particular way. You can never force these things and expect them to come off without a hitch.

Get in the habit of giving yourself and everyone else enough grace to let your special events turn out however they will. New year. New outcomes.

And consider letting some things go unfinished. I haven’t forgotten my neighbor Glenn’s wisdom back when we were preparing for the big move to New Mexico. He cautioned me, “You won’t be ready, and you won’t get everything done in time. Let yourself accept that going in and your move will go a lot better.” That’s sage wisdom for surviving the holidays, too, don’t you think?

Oh, and do your best to let go of things at the office. You know the boss is going to be home with her family. And if she isn’t, well… that’s her life to mess up.

5. Seek Out Relaxing Surroundings for Peaceful Timeouts

Our environment has a powerful effect on our mood. Remember to turn on some music, light some candles, or make your escape by taking a walk.

Seriously, even stepping away from all the hustle and bustle for a few minutes can help you take a timeout to hit the reset button. That’s why people like to step outside of office parties so much (well, there’s also that holiday-office-party-connection thing that people sometimes do).

The biggest thing to realize is that you’re going to feel overwhelmed at least once between mid-November and the end of the year. Probably more. So, go easy on yourself. And remember if you can’t get “it” done, whatever it is, you’ll be doing yourself a huge, big favor by letting it go.

6. Check your holiday mindset every morning.

Postpone your frustrations by showing understanding and calm. This may be the most important of the 6 holiday survival strategies I’ve shared.

Allow the holiday season to be a time to have fun and share moments together. Remember not to wait until it’s all over to sit down, relax, and count your blessings. 

Then, after you’ve made it safely to the other side of the holidays, take a deep breath and let yourself start looking forward to next year because you’ll get to do it all over again!

Happy Holidays. Be untucked.

p.s. And if you struggled with buying all those gifts this year, check out my post on gift-giving tips that work so you won’t be in the same bind next year.

p.s. Thanks for dropping by LifeUntucked®. If you found this post helpful be sure to share it with a friend. I owe you one…

Copyright © 2023 Jeff Meister – All Rights Reserved