This is one of my first postings on the holidays that are looming ahead like a storm over the horizon. I personally find this time of year emotionally pack-filled. For some, they zoom by without a flicker like a racehorse galloping around a track. Maybe, you leave town and check into a fine ski resort with only the snowfall to worry about. Maybe, you have to choose who you are going to spend the holidays with and who you might have to disappoint. For many, the holidays bring on a shift in mood, stress, expectations, expense and an abundance of tasty temptations. How do we remain in control or at least behind the wheel of our emotions during this energy-packed time of year? How do we acknowledge feelings and emotions that can surface without a clue where they came from while not falling into a deep depressive state? I believe being prepared is one way. Nurturing ourselves and our feelings is another. Not running from our emotions and allowing them to be felt is an important tool to respecting and having a deeper understanding of ourselves.
One thing to remember, is there does not have to be one event or disappointment to create the "gray cloud" effect. Sometimes, a shift in one's mood can occur like a drop in temperature. Holidays can and are a reminder of the past. Memories can be triggered; expectations can run wild setting us up for a downward spiral. It is important to know how to take care of yourself in times like this. Journalling is a great way to put your feelings to paper. Art is another even if you don't consider yourself an artist. Try collage, it is a non-threatening creative medium. Make a list now of all the things you've been wanting to accomplish and haven't gotten around to, such as clearing out closets, organizing your home, getting together with a friend you haven't seen in a while. Most of all, take care of your feelings. Don't try to push them away. Feel them. Write about them, Paint or collage about them.
That's it for now...more to come.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
The holidays are coming, the holidays are coming...
Collage Greeting Card |
OK, so what can you do to make it through to the other side of the new year? Here are a few tips I've learned along the way about getting through the holidays with my spirit intact.
- Plan ahead - have some creative projects in line to work on to focus your attention. Collage, draw, or paint MANDALAS.
- Journal - give yourself the gift of a beautiful journal
- We can learn a lot about ourselves in the dark days as well as light. Be curious about your moods and write about them. Let the page hold them.
- Move your body - walk, take a yoga class, offer to walk dogs at a shelter.
- Volunteer
- Reach out to friends
- Read
- If aloneness triggers feelings, don't push them away, be with the feelings and realize they are coming up to be healed not ignored.
- Feelings pass
- Reach out to friends
- Make your holiday cards using collage or some other creative tool.
- Attend a spiritual celebration
Collage Mandala |
So, here you have a few tips and tools to help you manage the possible emotional effects the holidays can bring on. I think we forget that we can use this time creatively. To explore creative practices that during the rest of the year, we might not have time for. Think outside the box.
These do not have to be the dark emotional days, but rather, the awakening days of the spirit and creative energy that resides inside of us.
Peace,
Victoria
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