The festive season is that time when you spend your hard-earned holiday with people you normally avoid for the rest of the year. There’s that one relative who sets your teeth on edge, bores you to tears or gets drunk and argumentative. Here are some tips to get you through:
- Remember you do actually have a choice, you could say “No thanks” to the invitation. Seriously, you are not legally bound to attend. However, you’ve probably decided the consequences aren’t worth it, so go with good grace and the intention to milk whatever pleasure you can from it, knowing it is your choice to attend.
- Identify someone you like enough, and focus on getting to know them better. Even if you used to be close, you both will have changed over the years. If it is an in-law, chances are you don’t really know them at all.
- Play detective, alone or as a competition with your nuclear family. Draw up a list of questions (try 3-5, less if they are about skeletons in the closet) you need to find answers to by a certain time. The catch is you can’t ask the direct question of that person.
- Resist the urge to ply the argumentative drunk with more drinks until he passes out in the corner. Smile, say “Interesting point of view”, in a neutral tone, then excuse yourself to go and help the host out, refresh your drink etc, or play the detective game to distract him.
- Leave when you are ready, without prolonged farewells. A sense of urgency and tone of regret will excuse you and avoid tricky questions.
- De-brief, focussing on your ‘wins’ for the event. A closer connection with a family member, a business network link, a happy mother-in-law and spouse, even that heavenly dip?
It’s all about taking control back over your life, and that includes how you choose to think, feel and act. Try it this festive season, and notice how much lighter and happier you are without the resentment and frustration. Have fun!
If you or someone you care about is keen to take more control of life, gift yourself a D.I.Y. head trash clearing kit in book form. Written with the super-stretched busy woman in mind, “The Face Within: How to Change Your Unconscious Blueprint” is easy to read and apply. Available from www.growingcontent.com.au/shop-now
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