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Published: Nov. 20, 2023, 5:52 a.m.

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\\nFeeling overwhelmed by the pressure to create a "perfect" Christmas? Discover how to simplify expectations, reduce stress, and embrace an awesome holiday season with these 6 powerful steps.\\n\\n\\u200b\\n1.\\xa0Awareness.\\nTake 10-20 minutes and connect with what you feel and what you think about all these expectations that you have created or bought into. What are the thoughts and feelings that come up when you think about Christmas? Find something to write in and listen to what you are saying to yourself. It may look something like this\\n\\u201cI\\u2019m feeling guilty because I don\\u2019t want to make my pudding this year, but I know everyone loves it and I should\\u201d.\\nI\\u2019m feeling sad. I keep thinking how much I miss my mum and wish she was here\\u2019\\nI\\u2019m feeling overwhelmed. There\\u2019s so much to do and I don\\u2019t know where I\\u2019m going to fit it in.\\nI\\u2019m feeling angry. I don\\u2019t want to go to x/s house on Christmas Day. We always do and it\\u2019s not fair. I want to stay at y own home all day and let the kids play.\\n"I\'m feeling confused. I don\'t know how to keep everyone from not fighting on Christmas Day and I just wish it was all over.\\n"I don\'t know where to start\\u201d.\\n\\nNote:: If getting in touch with your feelings is difficult there can be\\xa0a few reasons why that is happening.\\xa0\\xa0You can come back to exploring your feelings in the future either with your GP, or mental health therapist, or if this is something you would like help with you are welcome to\\xa0contact me\\xa0for an appointment.\\n\\n2.\\xa0Reflection.\\nOnce you\\u2019ve named and acknowledged your thoughts and feelings it\\u2019s time to reflect on what they might be trying to tell you about what is important to you at Christmas.\\xa0\\n\\nHere are some simple guiding reflection questions.\\nWhat are your best memories of Christmas\'s past?\\nWhat would you have liked to have done last year that you didn\\u2019t get to do? What got in the way of that happening?\\nIs there something different/special coming up this year that you are looking forward to?\\nWhat was stressful?\\nWhat would you like to change?\\nWhat\\xa0is the most important thing about the Christmas season for you? Include everything in the\\xa0lead up to Christmas Day and the days after?

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How to Make This Christmas Simply Awesome

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