This season, may you feel able to…
- Set and hold your boundaries, including with family members
- Put rest on your to-do list and drop any guilt about this – Winter is naturally a time of rest and restoration
- Enjoy the fruits of the year, the Winter feast – drop any guilt about this too
- Begin the new year with intentions if you like, but not with a punishing ’self-improvement’ agenda
- Connect with at least one person who thinks you are great – this includes a friend, chosen family, or anyone in your circle of support
- Allow yourself any mixed or difficult feelings – whatever bubbles up for you, no matter what the adverts and cards suggest you are ‘supposed’ to feel
- Take time to consider what you really want and need – notice what’s going on in your mind and your body
- Love it if you love it – even if this year you can’t do all the things you would usually do, may you keep (or make new) traditions that provide a sense of solace, stability or connection
- Loathe it if you loathe it. You’re not alone, even if it feels like it sometimes. Maybe it’s not part of your culture, religion or calendar, or maybe it is but it’s never been a good time. It can be very difficult when other people are finding something special or fun and you don’t. But whether or not you put on a jolly face for them, you can at least be honest with yourself. And with us.
If you feel you have no-one to talk to, or if you or a loved one has a mental health crisis over the Christmas period, click here to read our advice on getting urgent help.
We re-open for ongoing appointments and enquiries on Wednesday 5 January 2022.
Please keep yourself safe as best you can.
With all best wishes from everyone at The Next Chapter
