5 Difficult Emotions During The Holidays And How To Be Grateful For Them

Today is Thanksgiving for those of us living in the US. I thought it would be the perfect time to revisit how self-care is one of the most essential factors in achieving good skin. The mirror is another essential factor in achieving good skin and just like the mirror reverses the images it reflects, I want to encourage you to reverse the difficult emotions you may feel during the holidays.

While the holidays are exciting and fun for many, they can be stressful and painful for many too. One way to combat the stress and pain you may feel during the holidays is to be grateful. Tony Robbins said, “It is impossible to be fearful and grateful at the same time.” I have found this to be very true in my own life. Enjoying the holidays was easy for me as a kid, but as I experienced heartache and stress as an adult I needed to get a new perspective on what the holidays were really about. 

After reading a blog post in 2018 from one of my favorite life coaches, friends, and overall human beings Natasha Adamo. (Please go over to her blog and read her post Thankful Quotes that will allow you to be grateful for your pain. All quoted text in this post comes from her blog) I have made it my priority to make a list every holiday season of 5 difficult emotions I am facing and how to be grateful for them. It has truly helped me to be present and grateful during the holidays when some years I wanted them to just pass by.  

Here are 5 difficult emotions you may be facing this holiday season and how to be grateful for them.

a.) Be Thankful that the person who hurt you is gone and you no longer have to deal with the highs and lows they bring into your life.

b.) Be Thankful that you are no longer in an unhealthy relationship that caused you to feel pain. You are now in control of your "emotional bank account" and what you deposit into this account.

c.) Be Thankful that you are acknowledging your pain during the holidays. You have to feel it to heal it and be thankful that you are giving yourself the grace you deserve this holiday to feel whatever it is you are feeling.  

d.) Be Thankful that the more “firsts” without them you have the closer you are to living the life you deserve.

e.) Be Thankful that your loneliness may allow you to serve others that may feel the same way you do.  

a.) Be Thankful that you can "give your pain a purpose"  and help someone else going through a similar situation as you are.

b.) Be Thankful for the time you had with that loved one or pet and be thankful for the times in your life when you felt true joy and happiness. Remember those times will return. 

c.) Be Thankful that you are taking the time to grieve so you can heal. Allow your emotional growing pains time to adjust. 

d.) Be Thankful for your sadness. Feeling sadness allows you to feel joy even deeper.

e.) Be Thankful that we are living in an era where there are so many resources to assist you with grief and depression. Remember that you are not alone. There are millions of others going through similar struggles.  

a.) Be Thankful that you can pay the bills and put food on your table.  

b.) Be Thankful for being busy. Think about all of the people you are helping in your career.

c.) Be Thankful for your kids-they grow up so fast. Teach them to be Thankful too and remember you are doing a GREAT job!  

d.) Be Thankful that your parents need you. Although this time is hard, there will be a time when they are not with you anymore.  

e.) Be Thankful that you may need to search for another career or may need some time off to deal with other things at home. This is a sign. Be kind to yourself during these transitions. Something better is coming for you.

a.) Be Thankful that you are fearful about starting a new relationship. This means you are thinking about yourself first and in tune with your feelings. You are no longer living in a fantasy. You are living in the reality of the situation. Real-life can be scary but it can also be beautiful. Listen to your gut instincts.

b.) Be Thankful that you are feeling anxious. This is the perfect opportunity to slow down and be in the present moment. Too often we live in the past and the future. Anxiety forces us to stop, breathe, and be present.

c.) Be Thankful you lost your job. You now are one step closer to doing what you are meant to be doing.  

d.) Be Thankful that you are questioning your relationships. This means you value yourself and know what you do and do not deserve. Again, listen to your gut.

e.) Be Thankful that you can feel fear and anxiety. This means you are a living, breathing, human being that is not completely void of normal emotions. 

a.) Be Thankful for the people who are not listening to you. This gives you more power to listen and trust yourself. You can’t control other people, but you can control how you feel about them.

b.) Be Thankful no one is cutting you a break. This is where you build endurance and strength. When times get even tougher, you will look back at this moment and think about how you got through it and it will be much easier the next time. 

c.) Be Thankful for the uncertainty you are feeling right now. This gives you time to stop and reflect on what you want and deserve for your future. You can design the life you want to live. 

d.) Be Thankful that you feel frustrated. This means you care, you have empathy and concern unlike many people nowadays.  

e.) Be Thankful for difficult times. They help you appreciate the moments of peace and harmony that much more!

I hope today and every day you are thankful for ALL of the wonderful and not-so-wonderful things in your life. Everything that comes our way clears our path to where we are supposed to be going and remember, Life is not about comfort, it is about character development.  

I am thankful for each one of you who took the time to read this post and have supported me throughout the years. Happy Thanksgiving.

Xoxo,

Allison