Traditions

I love the traditions wrapped up in this time of year and tend to lean heavily on wanting to keep those traditions alive.  Watching our same set of holiday movies, baking cookies for the neighbors, driving around with hot cocoa and looking at the twinkly lights, all on my list this time of year.  

And as much as I love them all, I’m also working on being more flexible in how we connect and spend time together as a family.  The cutesy things I could effortlessly talk my family into a handful of years ago have changed a bit as all of our interests have changed.  I’m finding it’s less about doing the same thing that keeps the tradition alive, but more about making sure we carve out the time to do something together.

I’m grateful to be learning that my cup gets filled by spending the time together and building the memories and not necessarily by exactly what we’re doing together.

I’m realizing that when my kids' preferences change or their interest in doing what we always did around the holidays wanes, it’s not personal, it’s just part of the process of being right there for what’s up next.  

So, in this season of celebration and inevitable change, I’m embracing the newness that follows our traditions.  And knowing that even though it’s looking much different than when the kids were toddlers, it matters just the same.  And yes, I’m even embracing Die Hard as a Christmas movie as long it means we’re all watching it together with popcorn and a slowed down pace.

Cheers to you as you celebrate traditions, old and new…together.

-A

P.S. This time of year brings up so many emotions, hard and soft. Please know you can always reach out for support if processing on your own isn’t creating the relief or insight you need.  Simply hit reply and let’s get started…together.