10 Things I Love About Taking the Long View At Christmas
If you’re blowing off New Year’s Resolutions after Christmas, stay with me here!
You might be thinking, “Nothing you say is going to change my mind, Ingrid. I just don't do them…and I’m not even going to think about the long view of my life until at least January.”
If so, check out this week’s blog anyway. It will get you fired up for the New Year…
But if, on the other hand, you’re heading into Christmas anticipating making some big changes in the new year, and you’re feeling a bit nervous, I hope this blog post helps you stay inspired to keep going!
10 Things I Love About Taking the Long View At Christmas
- Recharging your energy
This is a tiring time of year. There are 101 things to still get done this week before you can fully relax. But at some point you will be able to sit down, enjoy the holidays and possibly even get away to a new environment. By the end of this holiday season you will have recharged a bit and have the energy to take a longer view of your life.
- Opportunities for reflection
Whether it’s watching meaningful movies, listening to music, attending services at your church or temple, talking to old friends on the phone or doing some journaling, you will have many opportunities for reflection this time of year. You will have chances to connect with what’s important to you and with your story of where you’ve been and where you are going.
- Encouraging young relatives
You’ll be showing heartfelt interest in your kids, nieces, nephews and other young people in your extended family. You’ll be asking them about college ambitions or their budding interest in practicing sports or the arts. You let them know that you believe in them and their potential. Why not tell yourself that you also believe in YOU, just as you would encourage the young people you love?
- Tenderness for your parents
This Christmas you notice your parents have a little less spring in their steps. You look back at old holiday photos of them when they were stronger and more energetic. You notice their graying or vulnerability now. You might distract yourself at holiday parties from nagging feelings about their—and your own—mortality. But your awareness of fleeting time becomes heightened which can also motivate you not to squander it.
- Getting updates from peers
You receive holiday cards and newsletters from peers. You give each other likes over social media. Invariably you get your peers’ latest updates about travels, expanding families, new homes, new jobs, hobbies and achievements. You are happy to keep up on their news, and, as a human being, are probably comparing yourself to others to try to gauge how you are doing. You are also getting ideas and inspiration from them for things to put on your bucket list.
- Being affirmed by those who know you
People who love you and who have known you forever will ask you how you are doing. They remember what you used to love and what you used to be good at. Your loved ones will be reflecting back to you some things that you may have forgotten about yourself this year.
- Becoming open to more money
If finances are tight right now, you take a moment to work out specifically how much inflation took a toll on your income this year. Your salary might look fine at first glance. But if YOY inflation was 7.1%, that raise you got last year is no longer a raise at all; it just helped you maintain things. You have the same financial goals with arguably lower earnings. You’re reminded it’s still a good job market out there—with opportunities for the taking.
- Looking and feeling better
As you consider reaching for a holiday dessert, or as you are checking group selfies on the phone, you notice you may have put on some weight or that your face looks a bit older than you remember. You might not be looking your best during this colder, darker time of the year. You start telling yourself some “shoulds” or even planning better self care during or right after the holidays. And it’s certainly a great time to set some new intentions for your lifestyle.
- Having more time
Most workplaces slow down this time of year and it’s usually acceptable to take down time. If you want to read those books under the Christmas tree that might inspire new ways of seeing things or get quiet and do some visioning about your long-term goals—now is the time.
- Making new memories
At the end of the year, you tend to review memories from the last 12 months as well as revisit memories from decades past. There is much to be grateful for in your life. But it’s also a great time for renewal and looking to the future. What’s on your bucket list and what new memories do you want to make in the years to come? This holiday season is a wonderful time to take the long view on your life!
In the meantime, to take the first step in your strengths practice right now, find out your greatest strengths.
Best,
Ingrid
P.S. Know coaches and human resources professionals? This strengths certification is for them.
