Protecting your peace

We have made it to the end of November and a lot of people are celebrating Thanksgiving today. I hope you take a minute to reflect and give a moment of silence for the indigenous people who lost their lives. Any who, this is a time where a lot of people get stressed and our forced to be around a lot of people. Maybe you are the host of this holiday and are trying to get everything perfect for your guest and are preparing yourself for the relatives you have to take deep breaths to deal with.

It's ok to say not today. It's ok to not have it and chose not to participate. It's ok to tell people you don't have the mental capacity for their mess. It's ok to take time for yourself with a house full of people because they will figure it out. It's ok to go sit in your car or take a drive. It's ok to take time for yourself on a holiday and give yourself what you need.

We have been made to feel selfish for saying no. I am telling you to say no if you need to. The same people making you feel bad won't be there when you are feeling overwhelmed or need help. There will always be someone who helped with nothing complaining about the outcome. If you are already committed and feel stressed out, go sit down and kick your feet up. Someone else will step in or they won't and will just have to wait a little longer.

Give yourself grace. You stepped up to get it done when no one else did. It's not perfect? That is also ok. If they don't like it, you don't have what they want, or you get tired. They will figure it out. Even if they complain they will still take a to go plate. Protect your peace at all costs. Life will go right back to normal after the day passes.