Hope for the Holidays

The holiday season is a time we tend to associate with warmth, love and joy. The songs we sing, the movies we watch curled up with chunky blankets and hot chocolate, and the traditions we practice all contribute to the cheer of this time of year.  We wish happy holidays to those we care about, and come together with our loved ones to celebrate.  Whether we are reuniting with family and friends who aren’t always near, gathering with those who are closest to us, or forming new connections, cherishing relationships during the holiday season engenders optimism and hope.  This hope can then propel us towards a positive outlook as we transition into the new year. 

While the holidays can have these positive associations, for many folks–and for a variety of reasons–they don’t.  The holiday season can be difficult, especially for those going through a tough time who feel pressured to gear into the “holiday spirit.”  As we regard this time of year with so much anticipation, it can be stressful trying to make every occasion “perfect.”  Holidays centered around quality time with others can likewise be frustrating for those who don’t feel like they have someone to spend the season with, or those who are experiencing turbulence in their relationships. For these folks, tapping into the strength of hope can be a helpful strategy. 

Hope has an amazing ability to bring people together.  It is something we can extend to others when they are going through a hard time–checking in, offering help and extending invitations to holiday gatherings can show that we really care about someone, encouraging them to find hope in their relationship with us.  To connect with others in meaningful ways–our friends, our family, our coworkers, and everyone we want to feel special in our lives–we can leverage our strengths for the season, invoking love, gratitude, kindness, forgiveness, spirituality and social intelligence in our relationships. Hope during the holidays can look like an appreciation of our support system, which then enables us to see the potential for an improving future.  We can lean into the hope that strained relationships can be mended or deepend, as well as the hope that with the new year come new opportunities for all of us to flourish and grow.  When hope seems tricky to find, connection proves key.  

Awareness, Context, Intention

Building Awareness: What emotions do you associate with the holiday season?  What makes you hopeful at this time of year?

Considering Context:  Are there particular stressors that surface during the holidays for you or your loved ones?  Consider people in your life who help you mitigate this stress and encourage you to feel hope.

Creating Intention: Prioritize connection this holiday season.  Reach out to those for whom the holidays are hard, leaning into other strengths to share hope and accept hope from others.