Most of us follow the same holiday traditions every year, putting up the Christmas tree after Thanksgiving, spending time with family, or listening to festive music. But have you ever asked yourself what traditions you want to start? It’s okay to decide you’d rather stay home and enjoy a quieter holiday. The season isn’t just about finding joy; it’s also about keeping your peace. And sometimes that means spending alone.
Breaking Free from Tradition
Solo travel has become increasingly popular, but what about solo holidays? We don’t have to follow traditions that go against our authenticity. Sometimes we would enjoy the holidays if we allowed ourselves to do what we want, rather than what others expect of us. There comes a point in adulthood when we realize it’s time to make decisions for ourselves, not for others. Often, the best gift we can give ourselves is self-care. By learning to say no to traditions that don’t fit us, we make room to create new ones that reflect who we truly are.
Embracing Solitude
This year, I chose to step away from the traditional plans of spending time with family and focus on spending time alone. At first, I felt uneasy about sharing this decision with my family, but eventually, I found peace in it. This sense of peace came from realizing that I was doing something for myself. I contemplated how enjoyable it would be to watch a movie by myself and how a quiet setting would help me feel calmer and more grounded. The more I reflected on this sense of peace, the easier it became for me to make my decision.
Celebrating the Holidays Authentically
You know you’ve made the right decision when you have peace. Sometimes breaking the norm is uncomfortable at first until we realize it’s okay to start something new. We don’t need permission to be authentic. Instead, we can be more intentional about which traditions we want to follow and which traditions we want to create. This holiday, I hope that you can be more authentic with how you choose to spend it.