We're entering into that crazy holiday season again. Before we all take the respective plunge into potential grief, burnout, and triggering, take a few moments to make a plan/set an intention on how you can use this season to a) Avoid burnout and resentment, and b) become more aware about Enneagram autopilot in action.

See the video below or keep scrolling for the transcript.

Transcript

Good morning, I just wanted to take this opportunity to talk a little bit about how we as Enneagram Types can practice self-care during the holidays. I've noticed that certain Types fall into certain traps around this time of year. I think there are a lot of us, regardless of Enneagram Type, that can have a lot of negative associations with the holidays, especially because of family. There's a lot of grief but also a lot of burnout.

I want to take some time to address those things. So, here are some things you can think about as you're contemplating how to survive the holidays this year via Enneagram education.

Don’t Over Commit

First thing, and this goes for me as well. As a Two, I often find myself overextending myself in order to make the holiday magic happen. Photo shoots, pumpkin patch, Christmas tree, gathering, wreath making, present purchasing, all of that stuff. And I love it! But I also find myself overextending. So, take a moment like I will be doing in the beginning of the holiday season and ask yourself:

What do I have the capacity for?

What can I allow myself to rest about or pause or stop this year if I need to?

What can I just do to not commit to so much?

I find that when we commit to a lot or over commit that we can grow resentful. That can just ruin that time of year for us.

So, take some time. Take a beat. Think what you can commit to and what you don't want to commit to. Be ruthless.

Set Boundaries

Tip number two, which I think is probably the most important tip. As we are going into these various times in the holidays with family, old friends, basically a lot of us are entering into circles that we grew up in. And people and dynamics that we grew up with.

Take a moment and make an intention that you are going to approach these times both with boundaries. Often those are classically difficult to hold with that kind of circle. Don't beat yourself up but think about boundaries.

Also make an intention that you're going to enter into these spaces with a curiosity mindset.

What does that mean?

It means pretend you're a detective. You are standing back, observing, and questioning what's going on around you internally. Both the dynamics you see and how you feel yourself pulled into those dynamics, the emotions you feel as you watch things go down, all of that. That is going to give you awareness gold. That's how we are able to see our autopilots in full-blown glory. You are going to be able to take that information come the new year and beginning in January, if this is what you do, you can start to set intentions around bringing more awareness to your Enneagram practice, more awareness to your self-care. You'll have some pretty good ideas of what you potentially want to address in therapy this year.

If you have any questions let me know. But good luck as we enter the season!

Are you Interested in learning your enneagram & growing through enneagram counseling?

Let's Connect

Hi, I’m Melinda

I’m a therapist who uses the Enneagram and Brainspotting to help 20 & 30-somethings understand and change unhelpful patterns, love themselves, and navigate all the big transitions and emotions that come with where they are in life.

What my clients often look like:

1) Empaths and “HSPs” who feel deeply and are afraid that something is “wrong” with them or have been told that they are too “sensitive”

2) Helpers or “over-givers” who want healthier relationships with themselves and others

3) Enneagram enthusiasts who want to grow

4) Premarital and young couples wanting to start their marriage off on the right foot

Can you relate?