Okay. I love my family. I do. Yet, getting together for a week-long vacation, with my mother, brother, husband, daughters, sisters, nephews, nieces, additional extended-family members, and assorted friends, can be trying for a sensitive person like myself.
And that’s just what I did. Down the Jersey Shore. I had a blast!
Like most sensitive people, I crave alone-time, serenity, harmony, and lots of quiet. It’s not that none of that was available during my vacation. Many times, though, I had to actively cultivate it for myself.
Most importantly, it’s what I allowed myself to do, knowing that by honoring my need for self-care, I would be more able to enjoy my family and friends.
Here are some tips to help you make your gatherings more enjoyable:
Take time for yourself. This is crucial. Get up early to take a walk by yourself. Go on a solo adventure. Meditate. Read. Do some EFT Tapping. Taking time for yourself will help you get centered, grounded, and present. And…more able to enjoy the people around you.
Limit alcohol consumption. If you drink, consider reducing what you’d normally drink on vacation. Alcohol can easily build up, leaving you feeling groggy and even depressed. Alcohol, of course can also contribute to heated discussions and arguments. Instead, keep yourself hydrated with water and herbal drinks.
Disengage from drama. When heated discussions or arguments do arise, step back from the drama. Unless it’s crucial to clarify a point, there’s no need to fuel drama. Expectations, and often emotions, run high during gatherings with family and friends. Stepping back as a more neutral observer will help you keep the peace. And, peace, for the sensitive person, is bliss.
Stretch yourself by communing with your vacation-mates. Strike up a conversation with someone you don’t normally talk to. Find out more about the people you’re with. Participate in activities you’d normally skip. Stretch and experience the experience! By consistently allowing yourself downtime, stretching in new ways will be a whole lot easier!
Bring reading materials— Easy-reads work best in distraction-filled environments. Treat yourself, and read something that truly appeals to your senses. Good reading materials are key to enjoying yourself during down-times, and inclement weather.
Plan Meals in Advance – Who will be cooking meals? Will you be bringing pre-cooked meals? How will expenses, shopping, and kitchen duties be shared? Any special diets? Will you be eating out? Getting clear about kitchen duties will help you by-pass a lot of confusion, and discontent.
Plan Activities in Advance – If your vacation includes sight-seeing, and/0r out-door activities, make sure to research and plan accordingly. Where possible, stay flexible, and open to compromise. Consider consulting with a travel agent to help you customize your travel plans to satisfy the different members of your group.
Participate and contribute – Give your fair share in terms of expenses, and effort, yet don’t be afraid to ask for help. Do your part to keep things equitable for yourself and others.
Enjoy! And don’t forget to take lots of photos.
In Love and Courage,
Marian
Contact me to learn how to use EFT Tapping to help you clear family conflict.