As we roll into the holiday season, our calendars become filled with commitments for both work and our personal life. Gatherings are plentiful, and it’s easy to become over-committed.
As you start making plans for the upcoming holiday season, keep in mind the people that are important to you. Make time for them and give them priority when you have conflicts with your schedule.
Here are some suggestions to ensure you’re keeping loved ones a priority during this hectic holiday season:
1- Offer to help elderly relatives run errands or give them a ride to family gatherings.
2- Schedule with your kids a volunteer activity such as feeding the homeless or collecting gifts for underprivileged children.
3- Commit to date night once a week with your spouse by incorporating your errands or even wrapping gifts together.
4- Plan a gathering with close friends after the holidays when everyone is ready for a break – maybe swap bad gifts.
5- Reach out to a recent widow/widower who may be struggling more during the holidays – schedule a short visit over coffee or write a heartfelt note.
6- Recognize if a gathering is difficult for your spouse to attend, offer to do something they prefer in return (i.e., a trade-off).
7- Invite loved ones to events you are obligated to attend.
8- Replace attending some events with visiting your loved ones who really matter to you (i.e., decline some invitations).
Holidays can be a strain on your relationships with loved ones. With calendars becoming overcommitted and expectations high, we tend to add our own stresses to what should be a joyous time of the year.
Refocus your holiday time and keep loved ones a priority on your schedule. You still have time to make 2022 your best year ever!
(Update to original post from November 12, 2018)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Niv Persaud, CFP®, CDFA®, RICP®, is a Managing Director at Transition Planning & Guidance, LLC. Life is more than money. It’s about living the lifestyle you want and can afford. For that reason, Niv consults with clients on money, life, and work. Her approach capitalizes on techniques she learned throughout her career, including as a management consultant, executive recruiter, and financial advisor. Her services include developing comprehensive financial plans, divorce financial reviews, and retirement plans. Niv actively gives back to her community through her volunteer efforts. She believes in living life to the fullest by cherishing friendships, enjoying the beauty of nature and laughing often — even at herself. Her favorite quote is by Erma Bombeck, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me.’”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Niv Persaud, CFP®, CDFA™, RICP®, CRPC®, is the Founder of Transition Planning & Guidance, LLC. Life is more than money. It’s about living the lifestyle you want and can afford. For that reason, Niv consults with clients on money, life, and work. Her approach capitalizes on techniques she learned throughout her career, including as a management consultant, executive recruiter, and financial advisor. Her services include developing spending plans, comprehensive financial plans, divorce financial reviews, and retirement plans. Niv actively gives back to her community through her volunteer efforts. She believes in living life to the fullest by cherishing friendships, enjoying the beauty of nature, and laughing often — even at herself. Her favorite quote is by Erma Bombeck, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me.’”