Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas...

Although I've never been religious, I have my beliefs. It goes without saying that I, of course,  respect the views of others. When it comes to Christmas, it is for me more about togetherness with the people I love, and I truly embrace it as a time of self-reflection and contemplation. I love Christmas, and I'm actually excited for the holidays. At Christmas anything can happen. Anything seems possible. 

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year with a very personal touch for each of us. Christmas is never sleek, though. Or a sure-fire success. Christmas is messy. Christmas has its challenging moments. Moments when it is alright to struggle. Moments when it is alright to cope by whatever you think is needed. Do not try to fight off these moments. In seasons like this it is just easier to open your inner world and let them both in: the joy and the struggle. Maybe, instead of spending all your energy on avoiding it, try to feel and navigate yourself through the struggle so that you can get to joyous times again. The best way to handle this is putting on a smile and an attitude of openness to all the emotions that might overwhelm you. Prepared like that, Christmas can't throw you off your game. Challenge accepted, Santa! 

Please don't try to be perfect; do not try to make Christmas ​perfect for others. This is not your task. Different people, no matter how dear they are to you, have different ways to connect. They probably even have different expectations and ideas for the holidays as well. Try not to focus on these differences, try to find a common ground and have yourself a merry little Christmas, together with them. You might actually be surprised what you find out. Oh, and occasionally it is okay to put yourself first. Schedule some me time for yourself, just for a little while, only for a few minutes perhaps. There is nothing wrong with that on Christmas, and it really matters​. ​
You matter. So much.

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Photo: My favourite ornament, Dec 2015
Photo: Evangelical Church Warnemünde, Dec 2017