Finding Peace in Chaos: Thanksgiving, Yoga, and a Journal
Let’s just say it, Thanksgiving can be a lot. Even though we know it’s coming, and there’s a good chance we’ve done it all before—the food, the family, the friends, the feelings, well, it can be overwhelming. And if you are missing someone you lost, it gets even more complicated.
This is my eleventh Thanksgiving without my mom. She and I were the ones who did all the preparation, all the cooking, and we always did it together—for decades. The holidays are particularly tough for me, not just because we spent all of that time in the kitchen together, but because she passed away in early January—so the holidays were her last days.
These days? I side-step the holidays however I can. I do my best, but I don’t force myself to do anything that I’d rather not. I’ve resolved that whatever chaos is going on, whether around us, or in our own hearts, we have to make the command decision to be okay with not being okay. We have to be okay with being overwhelmed, and be determined to set aside a little time for ourselves. To find a little peace. To feel it. To be it.
So, what can we do about that feeling of overwhelm? How do we take time for ourselves when we are “supposed” to be hosting or putting the holiday together for everyone else?
Set Yourself as the Priority
It’s the old airplane adage, “put your mask on first, before attempting to help others.” Ah, yes, that one. The good news is, we’re not actually on a plane going down. But the concept holds true: take care of yourself, then you’ll be able to take care of everyone else. We know this, but often seem to ignore it, don’t we? I know I do. So that’s job one, decide that you are most definitely the top priority.
Set Aside Time for You
Schedule it into the day. If you have to get up a half-hour early, then do it. If it means telling everyone you’re done at 8:00, then do it, and head out - into a bath, or just dive into your bed and watch a good movie. Figure out what you need to do to plug into yourself and recharge, and make it a real part of the day.
For me, that’s yoga. And on a holiday, I’ll often set aside time in the morning before getting started with holiday preparations (if I decide to participate that year), and again in the evening to wind down and release.
Get Real About How You Feel
Take out your journal, and let it all out. Make a list of all the things that are swirling in your head: the to-do’s, the what ifs, the what’s next, and the who needs what? Write it all down and expel it. Then let yourself rant. Spend 5 minutes journaling how you feel about the holiday and why.
Keeping all that inside almost guarantees that it’ll will burst out of you in frustration, anxiety, anger, or tears. It’s like it is a big mountain in your way - and you won’t be able to enjoy the day until it’s moved. This exercise lets the sun come out.
Read what you wrote, and remember, it’s okay to not be okay on Thanksgiving. Feeling overwhelmed is something we all run around with on this day—we’re all in this together. Holidays are complicated. Make taking care of yourself a priority, and breathe deeply.
I created a gift for you for this very purpose. If you’re inspired to join me, I’m hosting a totally free, quick 30-minute online practice: gentle yoga (for all levels), with a special journal prompt at the end. I’ve schedule two classes for Thanksgiving morning so that you can find one that fits your schedule. If you’d like to allow yourself a little pocket of peace in your day - in the morning before the chaos begins, you can join me here.
Together, we’ll set ourselves up to take on the holiday.
-Laura
