Creating Meaning Through Rituals
Intentional moments together nurtures connection.
By: Elizabeth Burk, AMFT#122958
The holidays are the perfect time to create simple yet meaningful family rituals. As years go by, children and parents anticipate these times of togetherness, fostering connections as a family unit. Plus, these intentional moments offer a grounding and calm space within a busy season. Keeping the rituals simple yet meaningful will ensure connection and not stress.
A Connective Holiday
Handling the season with compassion
The holidays are here, and while we are certainly told this is “the most wonderful time of the year,” that message may not easily match our experience. By approaching the season with compassion, we can create opportunities for a meaningful and connective holiday.
To start, slowing down and connecting to ourselves can give us space to compassionately tend to our feelings and needs. The holidays can stir up a mix of intense emotions, especially for parents. The reminders of childhood can be very activating. Similarly we may place overwhelming expectations on our children’s holiday experience. Taking a pause to tend to our own hearts can create the space we need to work through feelings as they come up, safeguarding us and our families from distress.
Another way we can treat ourselves with compassion is to set boundaries around the season. Opting out of an invitation can free us from an obligation, making space for a more meaningful experience. Giving ourselves permission to say no can relieve us from guilt and prevent feeling overwhelmed by the limits on our time. Similarly, saying yes to the parts of the season that feel fulfilling and restorative can create meaningful connections for our families, allowing us to savor the parts of the season that matter most. Ultimately being intentional with the boundaries we set around our time during the holidays can allow us to ground our families in moments of meaning.
In the end, compassionately slowing down with ourselves and being intentional with boundaries can leave our hearts open to connection and meaning during a busy season.
