Dear December...
Dear December,
I have mixed feelings about you. Some years you bring me joy, other years stress, most often it is a combination of the two.
If I am being honest, I am kind of scared of you this year. I don’t know what to expect, I don’t know what I can control (um, nothing? ) and I am worried. Just plain worried. Worried about not seeing my family, worried I will get caught up in day to day stress, worried about living a lifetime on Zoom, worried about disappointing my kids and then worried about overspending during the holidays due to former point.
What worries YOU my dear reader?
If I was to coach myself through this unease (which I do on a daily, sometimes hourly basis, and I encourage you to do the same), I would use my 3-point Head to Heart framework, it is the most efficient process I have found for moving through difficult situations.
It works for fear, anxiety and basically any other uncomfortable mood or situation (think PMS, overwhelm, stuck-edness). The purpose is to gain clarity through dismantling the stories we tell ourselves and connecting our thoughts to our feelings.
What are the stories I tell myself about the holidays? What are the feelings I wish to embody?
3 STEP HEAD TO HEART FRAMEWORK (usable on any topic, grab a pen and start answering these questions)
#1 What matters most_____ ( about December?)
Being present with my family. Creating a fun holiday feeling. Getting outside and maintaining healthy habits.
Ask self: #2 How do I want to feel at the end_____ (of December?)
Connected. Joyful.
Ask self: #3 Knowing the above what is my December game plan?
Feel connected and present by baking cookies with my kids. Sitting down with my family to plan out the month and ask them their wishes for December. Maintain meditation, reading and writing habits. (Do not let these boundaries melt away because it is the holiday season!!)
Generate joy by upping our holiday movie intake (in lieu of going to Holiday theater), set a beautiful table (in lieu of going out), make fun cocktails and do something ridiculous like hiking in ugly sweaters and having a picnic of champagne and cookies.
One step further would be to dig deep into my inner loving spiritual self to find meaning in both 2020 and what do I desire from 2021, but that is a whole other letter!
After writing this I can already feel my nervous system relax, an exhale of sorts. My head and heart are one step closer to harmony. I have a plan. I no longer fear December. I may not be dancing in the streets but I feel so much more connected to my inner mentor and spiritual self.
If the above resonates with you and you want to join a connected group coaching session around this theme, there are still spots left in my Dec. 4 online Holiday Workshop, from Stressed to Serene, lots of tips and tricks to manifesting a magical season, sign up here.
And the spirit of being connected, on this Tuesday, December 1 at 10:30 PST, Sophie and I will be doing a one-hour “Cup of Clarity: Intentionally Plan Your Week” workshop through The All Together Collective. If you have been curious if our monthly programs are right for you, this is a great intro into our system of how to be intentional with your week while getting more work done.
Hit reply or send an email and let me know if my Head to Heart framework got you over your holiday hump!
xo Ali
Currently Reading: The Practice by Seth Godin
Current Mantra: “My career is one of creating a joyful life experience.” Dang. From the Law of Attraction Cards of Esther and Jerry Hicks. Literally pulled that card this morning.
Currently Eating: Grilled Chicken Harvest Salad by Damned Delicious. Delish even without the bacon!