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Holiday homecomings kindle hopes of achieving a domestic ideal, though family gatherings are also likely to evoke old roles and emotions. Families open a portal into the patterns of the past, and unfinished business can cause repetition of disappointing dynamics as if one more replay will yield a different outcome. John Gottman, renowned interactive researcher, states that authentic relationships have more positive than negative interactions, creating an emotional bank account to draw on when difficulties arise. If relational deposits are low, it may be time to face the disappointing reality of what should have been and may never be. It\u2019s time to start something new. We can engage the task of making a home within instead of seeking it from others. When we are at home with ourselves, we are free to enjoy relationships for what they have to offer.

Complicated family dynamics are not modern affectations but part of the original fabric of human psyche. Fairy tales offer a wellspring of archetypal images that capture elements of collective experience curated over thousands of years. These stories help define universal problems and offer attitudinal solutions. For example, Nordic tales frequently include trolls that embody unrestrained primal instincts that disrupt the peace, make uncivilized demands, and, once sated, return to the wilderness, often with a promise to return. The Norwegian tale, The Cat on the Dovrefell, helps us understand how we collude with disruptive holiday dynamics and what might be required to keep them at bay.

From the ancient wellspring of fairytales to the insightful observations of current researchers, one thing remains constant \u2013 challenging dynamics constellate when families gather for the holidays, requiring accurate recognition and skillful intervention. With this in hand, we might artfully disrupt old family patterns and bring forward the warm experiences of love and connection we hope for.

Here\u2019s the dream we analyze:

\u201cIt\u2019s nighttime, and I\u2019m at the airport with my mom, in line for security. I have my cat with me, and as I\u2019m about to go through security with him, I suddenly realize we are outside on the tarmac. I\u2019m worried about pulling him out of his carrier because I know that if he escapes my arms, I\u2019ll never find him out there. I can\u2019t bear to lose him; the thought fills me with dread, and I start to panic. Upon seeing this, the TSA worker lets me keep him in his carrier. I get through and get on my flight. Upon landing, I find myself in Berlin. I make my way to the hotel, where I meet up with several friends. We are all tired from traveling, and it\u2019s snowy out, so we decide to stay at the hotel and rest before exploring the city. We head to the pool, where the bar is very crowded with old people. One of my friends decides to go swimming, even though it\u2019s very cold out. She plunges in, and a hotel employee scolds her, telling her it\u2019s too cold, and she must get out. She doesn\u2019t listen. More of my friends have arrived and are now also jumping into the pool. I stand at the edge, looking down at the water, unsure if I want to go in. Suddenly, an impulse takes over, and I need to feel the cold water on my body. I realize at this moment that I have a migraine, and I know the shock of the cold will heal it. I jump in and am surprised by how deep the pool is. I\u2019m underwater a lot longer than I thought I\u2019d be. When I resurface, I suddenly remember that my cat and my ex\u2019s cat are in my hotel room, and I\u2019m struck with a need to go check on them. I couldn\u2019t bear to lose them and need to make sure they\u2019re okay. Back in my hotel room, I find the cats are safe, and I also discover that my ex is in the room like he\u2019s been waiting up there for me. I get into the bed, which is large and has a fluffy white comforter, and he joins. I am suddenly nervous as I realize we haven\u2019t shared a bed in months, and I\u2019m not sure what to do. But we quickly fall into place, and he\u2019s holding me tight. It feels secure and warm, and we fall asleep like that. When I awake, we are back in our hometown together.\u201d

REFERENCES:

John Gottman. The Relationship Cure. https://a.co/d/6vj3fUj

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