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Halloween just ended and the thoughts of the holidays sends a rush of adrenaline down my spine. The past two years have been a blur to me as I navigate through how I spent the holidays with fewer family and friends. How is this one going to be? The stress of putting things in order, sending invites and greeting cards across countries, and also the many gifts and meals to deal with. There’s one thing I keep reminding myself of: to prioritize my inner self, my emotional well-being before others.

How will I achieve this goal? Allowing conversations to be fun, not planning out every detail of the gatherings, surprising myself with the unknowns, and most importantly, finding my comfort zone and not expecting anything from anyone. Getting together with family and friends can be stressful and fun at the same time. I am using this new season to rekindle relationships with the people I have lost touch with over the past two years. It Is also important to be mindful of oneself; when put in awkward situations, learn how to walk away, call or text a trusted friend, go for a brief walk, and take deep breaths along the way. You should also be understanding of others. We are all dealing with personal life struggles and no one wants to be in a space where they feel uncomfortable. I am going to allow room for others to share their struggles and offer my love where it’s needed the most. We need to remember to be mindful of others, speak with grace and when offended, politely stand up for yourself.

What is my end goal? Practicing self gratitude will allow me to see others in a more positive light. Surrounding myself with people and things that build me up. Focusing on what I can control more than what is impossible. I strongly believe that with this at the back of my mind, I will cruise through the holidays with ease.

Let’s not forget the safety of the season. Though we may be doing better now as compared to the past two years, COVID and other communicable illnesses are still around. When possible, have larger gatherings outdoors, and incorporate games and warm beverages for all. Make your health and the health of others a priority; this is the biggest gift giver for this season.

By Aba Anison-Amoo, Project Manager, for HOP’s series of monthly staff blogs.