It’s that time of year again….December! The new year is fast approaching and for many of us, December can be an extremely busy month, catching up with friends and family, and winding up with work for the year. For many, this time of year is associated with getaways and family holidays, however that may not be the case this December. 2020 sure hasn’t been your average year. It’s been filled with many ups and downs, and challenges. For the most part, us Melburnians have spent the year in lockdown and many people felt alone and isolated. As we start to peak our heads out and begin to socialise, we might find ourselves feeling quite overwhelmed and quickly burnt out.
It is important to take a moment to pause and reflect on self-care and how you’re coping. Whilst some may feel obligated to spend every moment socialising, it is important to remember that balance is the key. Here are some tips which I hope you find helpful:
- Have a balance. I can understand how busy the holiday season can become. Take a moment to draw up a schedule and make time for socialising with family and friends as well as time for yourself.
- Be kind to yourself and focus on your needs. We are all unique. Whilst others may recharge by spending lots of time with family and friends, this isn’t the case for everyone. Really tune into what your body and mind need. This might be some quiet time reading a book, going to the gym, walking along the beach or doing some gardening.
- Plan ahead. Although you may not get to go on that family trip, why not organise some day trips in Victoria? We live in such a beautiful city. I am sure there are plenty of little towns that are waiting for you to go and explore.
- Don’t feel obligated. For a lot of people, 2020 has been financially taxing. Christmas is one of the most expensive times of the year and often people find themselves feeling obligated to spend big on gifts. This year, try and keep it simple. If this year has taught us anything, it’s the value of good friendship and support. Why not make this a time to come together and enjoy each other’s company? Play some games, have fun. Try and be creative. Make your Christmas gifts or even do some baking. But most importantly focus on what you can do and what isn’t going to lead you to feel financially stretched.
- Say “no” : Sometimes, you just need to say no for your own well-being. If you find yourself saying “yes” out of obligation because “no” feels really difficult, here are some links which may be helpful: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/stop-saying-yes-want-say-no/; https://www.mindful.org/compassionate-boundaries-say-no-heart/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtPRrn5nwAo
- Set goals. Take some time to draw up some goals for the new year. Don’t think of them as resolutions, but more as an opportunity to reflect on what you want to work on. Remember to be true to yourself.
If you are struggling to adjust following the lockdown period and you would like some support, why not give us a call? Our team of psychologists are here to help.
Your Mind Matters Psychology Services will be closed over the holiday season from 23/12/20 and reopening on 14/01/21. If you require support during this time, please contact your GP. There are phone counselling services you can contact including Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 and Lifeline 13 11 14. If you require immediate support please call 000 or attend the Emergency Department at your local hospital.
From all of us here at Your Mind Matters, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.
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This blog was written by Maria Kampantais, psychologist at Your Mind Matters Psychology Services. She works with us 4 days per week (day and evening sessions) and is passionate about working with clients suffering from various anxiety disorders. |