November 5, 2024 • 14 mins
Ever feel overwhelmed by the holiday hustle? Join me in the Tea Tasting room where we unravel the complexities of holiday stress and learn to reclaim joy and balance. Discover the art of setting boundaries amidst family dynamics, social obligations, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Together, we'll navigate financial strains, focusing on maintaining mental health, encouraging authenticity, and finding peace in the chaos.
In our pursuit of a more meaningful festive season, we champion the importance of downtime as a crucial aspect of your well-being. Dive into the concept of crafting a 'joy list,' a collection of activities that genuinely uplift and center your spirit, like savoring hot chocolate or enjoying tranquil morning walks. These simple pleasures, often overlooked, are the key to managing stress and embracing genuine happiness beyond the usual seasonal pressures. We'll explore how intentionality in scheduling personal time can transform your holiday experience, encouraging you to envision what a truly joyful season means for you. Let’s ensure this holiday is not just about meeting expectations but nurturing our true selves and well-being.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Tea with Tanya.
I'm your host, tanya Ambrose,an average millennial navigating
life as a maternal healthprofessional, non-profit founder
and grad student.
Join me in the tea tasting roomwhere we spill the tea on
finding balance and promotingpositive living while doing it
all.
(00:20):
Hey friend, welcome back toanother episode of Tea with
Tanya.
I hope you've done somethingfor yourself Since the last week
we met here in the tea tastingroom Again.
You know, we're all about takingcare of ourselves and being
intentional with the things thatwe do.
Now we are in a whole new month.
(00:41):
I don't know.
October came and went likeUsain Bolt at this point in time
, okay, I can't believe that.
We're in November and beforeyou know it, it's going to be
the holiday season.
I just don't know.
So, as the year draws to an end,can't believe we're even saying
that you know, many of us maystart feeling the familiar pull
of the holiday season.
You know that's usually for mea time of connection, reflection
(01:03):
and even sometimes that can bea bit, a bit of overwhelm as
well.
So this month of Novemberbecause I know a lot of November
people that I know the Scorpio,the Sagittarius, you know this
is the best month according tothem.
I don't know who fooled them,but we're not going to get into
that.
But for this month, though, Iam excited to focus on all
things that's related tomanaging our mental health,
(01:25):
finding things that's related tomanaging our mental health,
finding balance and making spacefor joy, even during the
busyness of this season as well.
So, my friend, over the nextfew episodes, we're going to be
diving into some of the commonchallenges and emotions the
holiday season brings.
That's from managing familydynamics and financial pressures
to embracing self-care andreflecting on our own growth.
Okay.
So, each episode, we're goingto be here to help you to
(01:46):
navigate the season with calmand intention.
You know that's the big wordfor me intention, okay.
So whether you're looking forstrategies to handle holiday
stress, ways to make space foryour own wellbeing, or even just
tips on how to find joy in thelater moments, your girl Tanya
has got you covered.
Okay, I'm going to be joined bysome incredible guests who
share their insights onbalancing joy and overwhelm,
(02:07):
coping with loss and settingintentions for the new year,
because, in our hour, we levelup in 2025, okay, we are going
to be leveling up in 2025, allright.
So I'm so glad to have you herewith me this month and I hope
these episodes are going tobring you some sort of peace,
inspiration and support as wemove through this beautiful but
sometimes challenging seasontogether.
(02:29):
All right, let's get into it.
So, my friend, for many of us,this holiday season can be a mix
of excitement, nostalgia, joyand just let's be real okay, a
bit of overwhelm.
I don't care what nobody says.
This holiday season can be abit of overwhelm, I don't care
what nobody says.
This holiday season can be abit of overwhelm sometimes
because, when you think about it, between planning what Events,
visiting family and navigatingholiday expectations, it's very
(02:53):
easy to feel stretched thin.
Okay, so on this episode, Iwant to offer you some small but
practical ways to balance boththe joy and, of course, the
inevitable stress that can comewith this year, especially this
time of year.
So on this episode, we're goingto be talking about finding
peace, setting boundaries and,of course, embracing the
(03:14):
holidays in a way that feelsright for you.
Okay, so you know what to do,my friend.
Grab your favorite cup of tea,take a deep breath and let's
talk about managing holidaystress in a way that allows you
to be true to yourself.
So let me go back, take a deepbreath, so let's inhale and
let's exhale One more time.
(03:35):
Let's inhale, hold and thenexhale.
All right, now we got it out ofthe way, let's get into it.
So I want to talk aboutunderstanding holiday stress.
Let's start by acknowledgingthe sources of holiday stress,
and I think many of us feelpressure to create these quote
(03:55):
unquote perfect experiencesduring the holidays Because,
again, we live in a season wheresocial media, everything's just
always out there.
So we have that pressure tocreate the perfect experience,
you know.
But when you think about it,perfectionism can make this
season, this time of year, farmore stressful than it needs to
be.
Okay, for some of us, it mightbe the family dynamics let's
(04:16):
think about.
You know, old patterns andexpectations can resurface and
that can feel overwhelming, youknow.
For others, there's a financialaspect.
When you have to think aboutgifts and travel and extra
expenses, we can tend to feelvery stretched financially.
I've been there before, youknow what I mean.
So, of course, there's oftenthe pressure to attend all these
multiple social events, or fetsthat we call them, or you know,
(04:39):
whatever it is where we have tofeel obligated to show up, even
when we rather just have aquiet night at home, because one
thing about me I'm going tostay home, okay.
So what about you?
Are any of these resonating?
If so, I want you to take amoment just to acknowledge it.
My friend, give yourselfpermission to recognize that
holiday stress it's real, it'svery, very real on you, it's
very real, and that you're notalone in feeling it.
(05:02):
Okay, we've all been there forone way or the other, I'm sure,
experience some sort of holidaystress.
Unless we can say it's real,like for me going up in the
Caribbean household, it wasoverwhelming for me as a child
having to get them out thecurtains to iron, doing the
Christmas cleaning and doing themost, just for what?
For one day, for us to move on,and then everybody has to come
(05:23):
back to the house again untilthe next December.
You know what I mean.
So definitely one for us toacknowledge that, that stress,
and really figure out what isthe source of our holiday stress
as well.
Now let's talk about boundaries,and I think a key part of
making this season manageable isfor us to create or even expand
the boundaries that we alreadyset for ourselves in the
(05:43):
previous month, and I think oneof the best ways to reduce
holiday stress is by settingclear boundaries with your
family, friends and, guess what,even yourself.
Now, I know this sounds supersimple, and it is.
It may sound simple, but againthere are some tips that I'm
going to share with you thatI've done in the past and I've
fallen off the wagon, but I knowthis time around it's going to
(06:05):
be different, because I don'thave the time Like I'm at my
capacity right now witheverything.
So I definitely have to makesure that I'm setting these
clear boundaries and sticking tothem, especially during this
time.
So I want to talk about, youknow, saying no when needed.
That's the first thing Sayingno when needed.
There's often this pressure tosay yes to every single
invitation or request, butremember again, saying no is
(06:28):
sometimes the best andhealthiest choice for you.
Let's say, for example, aninvitation feels overwhelming or
simply doesn't align with yourenergy, a polite, you know,
thank you so much for invitingme, but I won't be able to make
it this time Simple.
One sentence, my friend.
One simple, simple sentence.
You know that can be a way tohonor your needs without feeling
(06:49):
any sort of guilt.
You know this ends up leavingyou with more energy for the
things that truly matters to you.
I have a friend.
One thing about her she doesnot play when it comes to her
boundary.
You could invite her, itdoesn't matter what you can try
to finesse the invite, and shesaid no, thank you.
Thank you for the invite.
So that's where I got that linefrom, because she doesn't play
when it comes to her boundariesas well.
So a simple no.
Just say no when it's neededand just focus on the things
(07:12):
that you want to that trulymatters to you.
The other one is communicatingyour needs right.
Communicating your needs openlydoesn't matter who it is Like.
I think, for example, certainfamily members or certain family
behaviors or tradition cancreate stress.
Let's be real.
Like there's just so manythings that when you were
younger you had no say so.
(07:32):
Now that you're older, it'slike well, really, this is what
you have me doing.
So gentle communication can goa long way.
We talk about gentle parenting.
We talk about coming down toour children's level and talking
to them.
The same goes for us as anadult as well.
Even if you're older, gentlecommunication can go a long way.
For instance, if a familymember tends to drop by
unannounced.
(07:53):
You can simply say I'd love tospend time with you.
Could you let me know a bit inadvance so I can plan
accordingly.
I don't care if I'm like.
My friend sent me a meme theother day and it was a picture
of a person saying I don't careif I'm standing in the window,
I'm not home.
And I found that really funnybecause it was like, yeah, don't
come to my place unannouncedwithout letting me know.
I need to know ahead of time soI can plan accordingly.
(08:14):
So I think that having an open,kind communication can really
ease some of the expectationsthat lead to holiday stress.
So you just want to be leftalone, you just don't want to be
bothered sometimes, and I thinkthat that's okay and I think
once you do that it can workwonders for you really and truly
Like politely decline, I don'tcare if you're standing at the
(08:34):
door Like, no, you didn't tellme in advance, so no, I'm not
ready, I got a reprogram on mybrain, I don't feel like doing
that, so no.
So let's communicate your needsopenly and in a very kind and
gentle way as well.
The next thing is prioritizingdowntime.
Let me tell you it's easy toforget that rest is a necessity,
(08:55):
not a luxury.
So please, my friend, giveyourself permission to schedule
downtime and protect that withall your might.
Okay, this could mean settingaside one evening a week to do
something that's purely for you.
That could be a cozy night inwith a good book that's been my
thing recently a bubble bath ora solo holiday movie marathon,
(09:16):
because you know Netflix andHallmark, they got all that
movie, so you can go to Hallmarkor Netflix and you can sit down
and watch all the Christmasmovies you can think of day in,
day out.
It doesn't even have to be aChristmas movie, it could be for
me.
I'm going to be.
That time can help to bring youback to the center Again.
Even though we're talking aboutthe holiday season, this can go
(09:37):
for other days as well.
You know, for me, during theweek, I'm a busy, busy person.
Being a full-time grad student,working full-time, running an
nonprofit, full-time, having apodcast.
There's so many things that Ihave to do.
I'm going to have me an ice anda cup of tea and I'm going to
be over here sipping on it,probably drinking some crackers
(09:58):
with it, watching my TV, doingabsolutely nothing.
Because, again, that's how Iprioritize my downtime.
That's how I get to quiet mybrain and bring it to the center
as well.
So, yes, three things, threesimple things that you can do
honestly to ensure that you arehaving and managing your holiday
stress in a way that allows youto be true to yourself and
(10:18):
that's you know again, saying nowhen needed, respecting that
boundary, communicating yourneeds openly in a kind way, kind
and gentle way and, of course,prioritizing me time, downtime
for yourself, so that you're notoverstimulated with everyone
else being around you as well.
The last thing I want to talkabout is something that a friend
of mine.
We decided that we're going tocreate A few months ago.
(10:40):
Then we fell off and then we'rekind of back in it again as we
set up ourselves for 2025.
But one of my favorite ways toapproach the holiday season now,
of course, is with intentionyou know that but also by
creating a joy list.
So that's a joy list.
Now, a joy list is essentially avery short list of things that
truly brings you joy during thisseason.
(11:00):
Not what others expect of you,but the things that fill you up,
because we can't be pullingfrom an empty cup.
So for some, that might be, youknow, making hot chocolate,
because one thing I'm going totry to do is make homemade hot
chocolate.
I haven't I haven't perfectedthe art yet, but I'm there
enough.
You know it can be drink now.
So you know, at this point I'mmaking some strides here.
But that could be also watchingold movies.
(11:21):
Make a Christmas of movies youwant to watch.
Put it on that list.
You know, for some other peopleit could be a quiet walk in the
early morning to just breatheand take it all in.
So, definitely, I encourage youto create a joy list that can
work for the holiday season but,of course, throughout your
everyday life.
And it doesn't matter what youput on that list, as long as
(11:42):
it's something that you know isgoing to bring you some
semblance of joy, something asit relates to joy.
It could be let me make a callto my pizza today.
That's fine.
It could be hey, let me call mygirlfriend today to see what
she's doing.
Whatever it is that brings youjoy, you're going to put it on
that list, okay, because we'regoing to create.
So I want us to try it together.
So take a moment to ask yourselfwhat activities actually bring
me joy this season, and then Iencourage you, my friend, to
(12:05):
write down at least five things.
Now the idea is to center yourholiday around these things, the
ones that matter to who, to you, rather than letting it be
filled up with obligations thatmight not, because, again, we're
trying to put into ourselves.
All right, my friend.
So as you go about your holidayseason, keep this list in mind
(12:28):
and allow it to guide yourdecisions.
Okay, you might find thatprioritizing what brings you joy
naturally helps you to setboundaries elsewhere.
So it might sound like a simple, small task by creating a joy
list, but it may also help youto prioritize what honestly
brings you joy, even after theholiday season as well.
So, as I wrap up, I would liketo leave you with a short
reflection exercise.
So yes, tanya's giving you somehomework for you to come back
(12:50):
into the tea tasting room nextweek and let me know how it went
.
But I do want you to take a fewmoments today you know that
could be maybe while you'resipping your favorite cup of tea
, or if you're enjoying somesort of quiet time and I want
you to reflect on the questionI'm about to ask what would a
peaceful, joyful holiday seasonlook like for me?
(13:11):
Again, I'm going to ask thatquestion and you're going to
write that down five things atleast.
What would a peaceful, joyfulholiday season look like for me?
I want you to try and reallyvisualize it, my friend.
Picture the ways you can createthat peace, from setting
boundaries to embracing thesmall joys that make this season
(13:31):
truly, truly special.
So ponder on that and, ofcourse, head on over to the Tea
with Tanya podcast page to letme know the answer to that.
You can comment on the recentposts or send me a DM, or even
an email.
I really would like to know theanswer to this so we can share,
so we can continue to build andgrow as well, because, remember
again, the holidays don't needto be perfect.
Let them be real, filled withmoments that feel authentic and
(13:56):
nurturing for you.
Okay, my friend, I hope thisepisode has given you some sort
of practical tools and a bit ofinspiration to make this holiday
season truly your own.
Thank you so much again forlistening to Tea with Tanya and
I'm looking forward to hangingwith you here in the tea tasting
room again for the next coupleof months as we navigate this
holiday, chaotic, stressfulseason sometimes.
(14:18):
I love you for listening.
Thank you for joining me foranother episode of Tea with
Tanya.
If you liked this episode, besure to share it with a friend.
Don't forget to follow onInstagram at Tea with Tanya
podcast.
Be sure to subscribe to theweekly Tea Talk newsletter and,
of course, rate on Apple orSpotify and subscribe wherever
(14:42):
you listen.
See you next time.
I love you for listening.
Welcome to Tea with Tanya.
I'm your host, tanya Ambrose,an average millennial navigating
life as a maternal healthprofessional, non-profit founder
and grad student.
Join me in the tea tasting roomwhere we spill the tea on
finding balance and promotingpositive living while doing it
all.
(00:20):
Hey friend, welcome back toanother episode of Tea with
Tanya.
I hope you've done somethingfor yourself Since the last week
we met here in the tea tastingroom Again.
You know, we're all about takingcare of ourselves and being
intentional with the things thatwe do.
Now we are in a whole new month.
(00:41):
I don't know.
October came and went likeUsain Bolt at this point in time
, okay, I can't believe that.
We're in November and beforeyou know it, it's going to be
the holiday season.
I just don't know.
So, as the year draws to an end,can't believe we're even saying
that you know, many of us maystart feeling the familiar pull
of the holiday season.
You know that's usually for mea time of connection, reflection
(01:03):
and even sometimes that can bea bit, a bit of overwhelm as
well.
So this month of Novemberbecause I know a lot of November
people that I know the Scorpio,the Sagittarius, you know this
is the best month according tothem.
I don't know who fooled them,but we're not going to get into
that.
But for this month, though, Iam excited to focus on all
things that's related tomanaging our mental health,
(01:25):
finding things that's related tomanaging our mental health,
finding balance and making spacefor joy, even during the
busyness of this season as well.
So, my friend, over the nextfew episodes, we're going to be
diving into some of the commonchallenges and emotions the
holiday season brings.
That's from managing familydynamics and financial pressures
to embracing self-care andreflecting on our own growth.
Okay.
So, each episode, we're goingto be here to help you to
(01:46):
navigate the season with calmand intention.
You know that's the big wordfor me intention, okay.
So whether you're looking forstrategies to handle holiday
stress, ways to make space foryour own wellbeing, or even just
tips on how to find joy in thelater moments, your girl Tanya
has got you covered.
Okay, I'm going to be joined bysome incredible guests who
share their insights onbalancing joy and overwhelm,
(02:07):
coping with loss and settingintentions for the new year,
because, in our hour, we levelup in 2025, okay, we are going
to be leveling up in 2025, allright.
So I'm so glad to have you herewith me this month and I hope
these episodes are going tobring you some sort of peace,
inspiration and support as wemove through this beautiful but
sometimes challenging seasontogether.
(02:29):
All right, let's get into it.
So, my friend, for many of us,this holiday season can be a mix
of excitement, nostalgia, joyand just let's be real okay, a
bit of overwhelm.
I don't care what nobody says.
This holiday season can be abit of overwhelm, I don't care
what nobody says.
This holiday season can be abit of overwhelm sometimes
because, when you think about it, between planning what Events,
visiting family and navigatingholiday expectations, it's very
(02:53):
easy to feel stretched thin.
Okay, so on this episode, Iwant to offer you some small but
practical ways to balance boththe joy and, of course, the
inevitable stress that can comewith this year, especially this
time of year.
So on this episode, we're goingto be talking about finding
peace, setting boundaries and,of course, embracing the
(03:14):
holidays in a way that feelsright for you.
Okay, so you know what to do,my friend.
Grab your favorite cup of tea,take a deep breath and let's
talk about managing holidaystress in a way that allows you
to be true to yourself.
So let me go back, take a deepbreath, so let's inhale and
let's exhale One more time.
(03:35):
Let's inhale, hold and thenexhale.
All right, now we got it out ofthe way, let's get into it.
So I want to talk aboutunderstanding holiday stress.
Let's start by acknowledgingthe sources of holiday stress,
and I think many of us feelpressure to create these quote
(03:55):
unquote perfect experiencesduring the holidays Because,
again, we live in a season wheresocial media, everything's just
always out there.
So we have that pressure tocreate the perfect experience,
you know.
But when you think about it,perfectionism can make this
season, this time of year, farmore stressful than it needs to
be.
Okay, for some of us, it mightbe the family dynamics let's
(04:16):
think about.
You know, old patterns andexpectations can resurface and
that can feel overwhelming, youknow.
For others, there's a financialaspect.
When you have to think aboutgifts and travel and extra
expenses, we can tend to feelvery stretched financially.
I've been there before, youknow what I mean.
So, of course, there's oftenthe pressure to attend all these
multiple social events, or fetsthat we call them, or you know,
(04:39):
whatever it is where we have tofeel obligated to show up, even
when we rather just have aquiet night at home, because one
thing about me I'm going tostay home, okay.
So what about you?
Are any of these resonating?
If so, I want you to take amoment just to acknowledge it.
My friend, give yourselfpermission to recognize that
holiday stress it's real, it'svery, very real on you, it's
very real, and that you're notalone in feeling it.
(05:02):
Okay, we've all been there forone way or the other, I'm sure,
experience some sort of holidaystress.
Unless we can say it's real,like for me going up in the
Caribbean household, it wasoverwhelming for me as a child
having to get them out thecurtains to iron, doing the
Christmas cleaning and doing themost, just for what?
For one day, for us to move on,and then everybody has to come
(05:23):
back to the house again untilthe next December.
You know what I mean.
So definitely one for us toacknowledge that, that stress,
and really figure out what isthe source of our holiday stress
as well.
Now let's talk about boundaries,and I think a key part of
making this season manageable isfor us to create or even expand
the boundaries that we alreadyset for ourselves in the
(05:43):
previous month, and I think oneof the best ways to reduce
holiday stress is by settingclear boundaries with your
family, friends and, guess what,even yourself.
Now, I know this sounds supersimple, and it is.
It may sound simple, but againthere are some tips that I'm
going to share with you thatI've done in the past and I've
fallen off the wagon, but I knowthis time around it's going to
(06:05):
be different, because I don'thave the time Like I'm at my
capacity right now witheverything.
So I definitely have to makesure that I'm setting these
clear boundaries and sticking tothem, especially during this
time.
So I want to talk about, youknow, saying no when needed.
That's the first thing Sayingno when needed.
There's often this pressure tosay yes to every single
invitation or request, butremember again, saying no is
(06:28):
sometimes the best andhealthiest choice for you.
Let's say, for example, aninvitation feels overwhelming or
simply doesn't align with yourenergy, a polite, you know,
thank you so much for invitingme, but I won't be able to make
it this time Simple.
One sentence, my friend.
One simple, simple sentence.
You know that can be a way tohonor your needs without feeling
(06:49):
any sort of guilt.
You know this ends up leavingyou with more energy for the
things that truly matters to you.
I have a friend.
One thing about her she doesnot play when it comes to her
boundary.
You could invite her, itdoesn't matter what you can try
to finesse the invite, and shesaid no, thank you.
Thank you for the invite.
So that's where I got that linefrom, because she doesn't play
when it comes to her boundariesas well.
So a simple no.
Just say no when it's neededand just focus on the things
(07:12):
that you want to that trulymatters to you.
The other one is communicatingyour needs right.
Communicating your needs openlydoesn't matter who it is Like.
I think, for example, certainfamily members or certain family
behaviors or tradition cancreate stress.
Let's be real.
Like there's just so manythings that when you were
younger you had no say so.
(07:32):
Now that you're older, it'slike well, really, this is what
you have me doing.
So gentle communication can goa long way.
We talk about gentle parenting.
We talk about coming down toour children's level and talking
to them.
The same goes for us as anadult as well.
Even if you're older, gentlecommunication can go a long way.
For instance, if a familymember tends to drop by
unannounced.
(07:53):
You can simply say I'd love tospend time with you.
Could you let me know a bit inadvance so I can plan
accordingly.
I don't care if I'm like.
My friend sent me a meme theother day and it was a picture
of a person saying I don't careif I'm standing in the window,
I'm not home.
And I found that really funnybecause it was like, yeah, don't
come to my place unannouncedwithout letting me know.
I need to know ahead of time soI can plan accordingly.
(08:14):
So I think that having an open,kind communication can really
ease some of the expectationsthat lead to holiday stress.
So you just want to be leftalone, you just don't want to be
bothered sometimes, and I thinkthat that's okay and I think
once you do that it can workwonders for you really and truly
Like politely decline, I don'tcare if you're standing at the
(08:34):
door Like, no, you didn't tellme in advance, so no, I'm not
ready, I got a reprogram on mybrain, I don't feel like doing
that, so no.
So let's communicate your needsopenly and in a very kind and
gentle way as well.
The next thing is prioritizingdowntime.
Let me tell you it's easy toforget that rest is a necessity,
(08:55):
not a luxury.
So please, my friend, giveyourself permission to schedule
downtime and protect that withall your might.
Okay, this could mean settingaside one evening a week to do
something that's purely for you.
That could be a cozy night inwith a good book that's been my
thing recently a bubble bath ora solo holiday movie marathon,
(09:16):
because you know Netflix andHallmark, they got all that
movie, so you can go to Hallmarkor Netflix and you can sit down
and watch all the Christmasmovies you can think of day in,
day out.
It doesn't even have to be aChristmas movie, it could be for
me.
I'm going to be.
That time can help to bring youback to the center Again.
Even though we're talking aboutthe holiday season, this can go
(09:37):
for other days as well.
You know, for me, during theweek, I'm a busy, busy person.
Being a full-time grad student,working full-time, running an
nonprofit, full-time, having apodcast.
There's so many things that Ihave to do.
I'm going to have me an ice anda cup of tea and I'm going to
be over here sipping on it,probably drinking some crackers
(09:58):
with it, watching my TV, doingabsolutely nothing.
Because, again, that's how Iprioritize my downtime.
That's how I get to quiet mybrain and bring it to the center
as well.
So, yes, three things, threesimple things that you can do
honestly to ensure that you arehaving and managing your holiday
stress in a way that allows youto be true to yourself and
(10:18):
that's you know again, saying nowhen needed, respecting that
boundary, communicating yourneeds openly in a kind way, kind
and gentle way and, of course,prioritizing me time, downtime
for yourself, so that you're notoverstimulated with everyone
else being around you as well.
The last thing I want to talkabout is something that a friend
of mine.
We decided that we're going tocreate A few months ago.
(10:40):
Then we fell off and then we'rekind of back in it again as we
set up ourselves for 2025.
But one of my favorite ways toapproach the holiday season now,
of course, is with intentionyou know that but also by
creating a joy list.
So that's a joy list.
Now, a joy list is essentially avery short list of things that
truly brings you joy during thisseason.
(11:00):
Not what others expect of you,but the things that fill you up,
because we can't be pullingfrom an empty cup.
So for some, that might be, youknow, making hot chocolate,
because one thing I'm going totry to do is make homemade hot
chocolate.
I haven't I haven't perfectedthe art yet, but I'm there
enough.
You know it can be drink now.
So you know, at this point I'mmaking some strides here.
But that could be also watchingold movies.
(11:21):
Make a Christmas of movies youwant to watch.
Put it on that list.
You know, for some other peopleit could be a quiet walk in the
early morning to just breatheand take it all in.
So, definitely, I encourage youto create a joy list that can
work for the holiday season but,of course, throughout your
everyday life.
And it doesn't matter what youput on that list, as long as
(11:42):
it's something that you know isgoing to bring you some
semblance of joy, something asit relates to joy.
It could be let me make a callto my pizza today.
That's fine.
It could be hey, let me call mygirlfriend today to see what
she's doing.
Whatever it is that brings youjoy, you're going to put it on
that list, okay, because we'regoing to create.
So I want us to try it together.
So take a moment to ask yourselfwhat activities actually bring
me joy this season, and then Iencourage you, my friend, to
(12:05):
write down at least five things.
Now the idea is to center yourholiday around these things, the
ones that matter to who, to you, rather than letting it be
filled up with obligations thatmight not, because, again, we're
trying to put into ourselves.
All right, my friend.
So as you go about your holidayseason, keep this list in mind
(12:28):
and allow it to guide yourdecisions.
Okay, you might find thatprioritizing what brings you joy
naturally helps you to setboundaries elsewhere.
So it might sound like a simple, small task by creating a joy
list, but it may also help youto prioritize what honestly
brings you joy, even after theholiday season as well.
So, as I wrap up, I would liketo leave you with a short
reflection exercise.
So yes, tanya's giving you somehomework for you to come back
(12:50):
into the tea tasting room nextweek and let me know how it went
.
But I do want you to take a fewmoments today you know that
could be maybe while you'resipping your favorite cup of tea
, or if you're enjoying somesort of quiet time and I want
you to reflect on the questionI'm about to ask what would a
peaceful, joyful holiday seasonlook like for me?
(13:11):
Again, I'm going to ask thatquestion and you're going to
write that down five things atleast.
What would a peaceful, joyfulholiday season look like for me?
I want you to try and reallyvisualize it, my friend.
Picture the ways you can createthat peace, from setting
boundaries to embracing thesmall joys that make this season
(13:31):
truly, truly special.
So ponder on that and, ofcourse, head on over to the Tea
with Tanya podcast page to letme know the answer to that.
You can comment on the recentposts or send me a DM, or even
an email.
I really would like to know theanswer to this so we can share,
so we can continue to build andgrow as well, because, remember
again, the holidays don't needto be perfect.
Let them be real, filled withmoments that feel authentic and
(13:56):
nurturing for you.
Okay, my friend, I hope thisepisode has given you some sort
of practical tools and a bit ofinspiration to make this holiday
season truly your own.
Thank you so much again forlistening to Tea with Tanya and
I'm looking forward to hangingwith you here in the tea tasting
room again for the next coupleof months as we navigate this
holiday, chaotic, stressfulseason sometimes.
(14:18):
I love you for listening.
Thank you for joining me foranother episode of Tea with
Tanya.
If you liked this episode, besure to share it with a friend.
Don't forget to follow onInstagram at Tea with Tanya
podcast.
Be sure to subscribe to theweekly Tea Talk newsletter and,
of course, rate on Apple orSpotify and subscribe wherever
(14:42):
you listen.
See you next time.
I love you for listening.
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