With the holiday season approaching, it’s almost inevitable to experience a spike in anxiety levels. From countless invitations to family dinners and all the preparations in between, the stress begins to accumulate. But has it ever crossed your mind that amidst this rush, you might be compromising your happiness? Finn and Sarah from Leaving CrazyTown are here to lend some much-needed insight.
Recognizing the Triggers
Sarah highlights a key issue many face early in November: the “co-crazy” that kicks off as soon as the holiday season begins. People often feel pressured to take on tasks they don’t enjoy. Finn adds that the pressure to say “yes” to every invitation is overwhelming. Families tend to overcommit, visit multiple houses and eat multiple meals, cook themselves because they can’t ask for help, or host people they don’t like.
Define Your “Why”
One potent question Finn and Sarah raise is, “Why?” Why are you making all those pies yourself? Why are you attending every gathering when you’d rather not? Finn shares his favorite anecdote – the friend who wants Thanksgiving at their house but asks someone else to cook the entire feast and bring it over.
Setting Boundaries and Expectations
Both hosts dig into the importance of setting expectations and boundaries. Sarah points out the drinking aspect, a sensitive topic, especially for those in sobriety. Finn supports the idea of tailoring holiday celebrations according to personal needs without succumbing to external pressures. It’s perfectly okay to set boundaries, including deciding whether or not to serve alcohol.
Tailor Your Thanksgiving
One of Finn’s Thanksgiving traditions highlights the importance of enjoying the holiday for what it is: a time to be with loved ones. He shares a unique story of spending Thanksgiving with his stepkids and, one year, even having an Indian food feast to simplify things. The takeaway here? Surround yourself with people you enjoy and customize your feast to fit everyone’s needs.
Breaking Old Patterns
Sarah insists that people often feel trapped in traditions or rituals simply because “they’ve always been done that way.” This mindset stems from deep-seated fears and anxieties. It’s crucial to realize that you have the choice to break free from these patterns. Finn emphasizes that you’re already choosing to do the things you complain about, so why not choose differently?
The Journey to Change
Recognizing and adjusting your actions is challenging but necessary. It’s about listening to those internal cues—feelings of agitation, anger, or anxiety—that can signify that you’re doing something against your will. Finn suggests identifying these areas first and then gradually making small changes. It’s not about an overnight transformation but about incremental tweaks.
Choose You
Take a moment to reflect on what truly makes you happy this Thanksgiving. Set boundaries that reflect your needs and stick to them. As Sarah and Finn suggest, start by recognizing what causes your stress. You have a choice in every situation; make sure it prioritizes your well-being. One tiny win at a time can gradually lead you to a more fulfilling and less stressful holiday season.
Here’s to Leaving CrazyTown and crafting a Thanksgiving that you love!
LEAVING CRAZYTOWN: Welcome to Leaving CrazyTown, a podcast by Dr. Sarah Michaud and Finn Allen. They help navigate life’s ups and downs, including codependency. With personal experiences and mental health expertise, they offer insights and strategies to overcome challenges and lead fulfilling lives. Episodes cover anxiety, depression, relationships, and self-improvement. This podcast is for anyone seeking guidance to improve mental health and well-being. Join Leaving CrazyTown and start your journey to a happier, healthier life.
RECOVERY PODCASTLAND & NETWORK: Tune in and let your ears experience the audio haven for all things sobriety and recovery. Buzz into the sobriety soundscape at The Sober Curator. Here, we delve into the world of our favorite sober and recovery-based podcasts. Picture us as your bee-zy, sober podcast enthusiasts or the lively guardians of an alcohol-free audio oasis. Our digital archives are neatly categorized into TSC Recovery Podcastland & Network.
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