Congratulations! You made it past the first weekend of the Holiday season! Whether you are happy or unhappy with the results, today is a new day. Roll up your sleeves and let’s get on track for a great finish to 2021!
I hear your eyes rolling! Seriously, in thirty-four years of working with people who have issues with food, I have not yet met one who did not have a defiant little girl or boy inside them saying, “I can do it this time! I want to eat normal!”
And some of us are tortured by bad memories from the past, the hurts and mis-steps, maybe loneliness, maybe sadness, maybe abuse. We cannot wait till the holiday season is over.
Life is really a do it yourself proposition, and we have the opportunity to change our lives only by making changes in the things we do. Sometimes, near the end of the year, it’s a good idea to sit down and look at how things are going – are you creating the kind of life you want? Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of our purpose, our lessons, and our path.
To the little one who wants to “eat normal” let’s say, “Try it the grownup way just this once. Follow this new way and let’s see how that feels.” The truth is, if you go off your path, there is no guarantee of when you will be able to get back on track. So, if you are on track, please stay there. If you aren’t, please read the rest of this blog before you next eat.
And the feelings. You may need to have a good cry – or a few. Do what comforts you. If you need to skip a party, do that. If you need to get extra help and support, do that too.
Now the food. Go to the grocery and buy all the staples you need; buy enough of the appropriate easy to make foods so you can handle each day. Pick up some frozen fruits and vegetables and some easy to make entrees so you won’t need to struggle.
Pay attention to the timing of your meals; don’t go more than five hours without eating; you don’t want to be hungry and cranky too. Yes, rearrange your timing or add an extra metabolic if you need to.
When you are invited to an event, call ahead and ask what will be served and what time. Take extra food for yourself or bring a dish to share. Expect to eat 30-60 minutes after the appointed time. Plan for it.
Create your own personal non-food agenda for the events you are going to: why are you going? To see cousin Sally? To meet Andrea’s new baby? To see Dear Aunt Tilly, at 89? You need to take every opportunity.
Pay attention to where you sit. Sit near people you want to be with, and not next to your favorite binge food. When the event disturbs you, feel free to leave early.
Plan for a couple of people to be available and to be emotional supports for you. When your stress level is high, you need MORE support, not less! Set up more time for the people and activities that make you feel whole and strong. Allow yourself to accept the support of others.
Put good stuff in. Do things you enjoy. Write yourself a letter and tell yourself all the good things you have accomplished this year. See how much you have grown. And if you haven’t moved in the direction you want to go, plan out how you will do that, and what you want for next year.
Last week I asked you to consider what you will feel good about in January. Go do that now. Plan it out. Or order it. Or set up the time and place. This is the week I want you to give yourself permission to do something that makes YOU happy – and something that makes the little child within you happy.
And PLEASE! Take a break from beating yourself up! This only limits your ability to create the holiday you want! Take a deep breath to the count of four. Hold it to the count of four. Release it slowly and gently to the count of four. Do this four times. Now, what is the healthiest most loving solution to the problem you face? What do your higher self and your Higher Power want you to do? Do that. Now get back to your joyful useful life.
And take time to do the meaningful and spiritual things that matter to you. Take time for yourself. Take time to take care of yourself.
If you are having trouble, get help. Be welcome to call my office if you need more suggestions or more help. I’ll be here for you.
This end of the year holiday is a time to be thankful for all the good people you have supporting you in your life. It is time to be thankful for all the blessings we have been given. And it is time for us to rest and pray and begin to become the people we were meant to be. So, send a thank you note to someone who will not expect it – perhaps someone from your past, or someone who did something nice for you that she/he did not have to do – make their day!
Blessings to you at this special time of year.
Theresa
P.S.: And Wacky Wednesdays continue from 7 till 8:30 on Wednesday nights! Join us for fun and laughter and support.
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