Finding Your Way Through Holiday Emotions.

As the holidays get closer, I’ve been thinking about the mix of emotions this season tends to bring up for me. There can be warmth and connection, but also stress, grief, complicated family dynamics, and just the pressure to “feel festive.” I’ve been thinking about one DBT skill in particular…Opposite Action.

Opposite Action is all about noticing when an emotion enters the room, checking whether it fits the facts, and then choosing to act in a way that moves you towards your values rather than staying stuck in emotion urges. It doesn’t mean ignoring how you feel. It means honoring your feelings and choosing an effective path based on the goals you have.

For me, this looks like reaching out even when I feel the urge to withdraw. It means saying yes to brunch with an old coworker and decorating a little corner of my office, even with emotions pulling me toward shutting down. Other times, Opposite Action shows up as holding a limit when guilt tells me to overextend.

I’m reminding myself that it’s okay to take things one step at a time. It’s okay to make room for both joy and difficulty. I am experimenting with small Opposite Actions that help me stay connected to the kind of holiday season I want this year.

If the holidays are feeling complicated for you, same. Let’s practice this skill together.

Rooting for you!

Lori