Are you gearing up for the holidays?  Have the functions and invites starting arriving in the mail?

Double booking and running from one party to the next with no break in between?

Are you starting to dread the next invite while your mind is saying yes, your body is starting to shudder saying NO!

How often I would say yes and run myself ragged during the holidays that once the New Year came, I was totally depleted and exhausted. It would take me the month of January to regroup and recharge.  I felt like I just couldn’t catch up.

When I first realized I was an empath, it was around the holidays and I walked around with a smile on my face and inside I was a mess.  I was feeling everything.

Around the holidays the feelings are truly from one extreme to the other.  People are forcing themselves to be around family, co-workers and some friends who create havoc, drama and at times demean you.

Plus, the holidays bring out all the feels. Trying to keep up with the Jones’, impress others with gift buying, feeling so much stress and pressure.  On top of it is the money troubles people feel buying all these gifts.

The sadness and grief over losing loved ones. The excitement from people of all ages and the joy, as empaths we feel these amazing emotions as well.  Although we never question when we feel these positive happy emotions.

There is a pile of invites that you said yes to.  You know there will be people there you do not know and lots of food and alcohol.  The thought of it is now giving you anxiety after saying yes. The last thing you really want to do is interact with people. Call up and cancel, do not make yourself wrong for this.

Empath’s toolkit

1~ Say NO.  DO not let anyone make you feel guilty for not going someplace that will make you feel uncomfortable.

2~ Make sure you have strong boundaries so when someone attempts to cross them you won’t let them.  A great question to ask is What am I willing to tolerate? Also, remember do not get caught up into a debate or talking to the negative nellies.  Ask yourself is this really worth my time and energy?

3~ Before you leave the house have a plan that makes you feel comfortable.  Either take your own car so you can leave when you want to or make sure that whomever you go with knows that when it is time to leave, they go immediately with you.

4~ If you are having fun yet feeling a bit depleted if possible, go outside and walk in the grass, hug a tree or use the restroom with the intention of washing your hands and clearing anything you may have picked up.

5~ Make sure you are grounded, make sure you are rested, and ask yourself if you really want to go. If you have hesitation about going Stay Home.

6~ If you are completely overwhelmed ASK the universe to clear the energy that does NOT belong to you.

Remember to honor yourself and how you feel.  Listen to your intuition and make sure you are spending time where you are celebrated.