Shannon is reclaiming the holidays by creating new traditions and focusing on her chosen family.
Shannon recognizes the importance of confronting and processing her painful experiences in therapy to grow stronger and prioritize her needs in future relationships.
Shannon is balancing her needs with the needs of others by spending Hanukkah with her family and friends while prioritizing her emotional well-being.
Deep dives
Setting Up Rituals for the Holidays
Shannon has been working hard to set up rituals for the holidays. She is organizing Zoom calls with her family and friends for each night of Hanukkah. She plans to host a virtual holiday party, sending out care packages to her loved ones and participating in fun activities over Zoom. On Christmas, Shannon will bake cookies with her mom virtually. She is excited about creating new traditions and reclaiming the holidays as her own.
Reflecting on the Severity of the Relationship
Shannon acknowledges the severity of the emotional abuse she experienced in her marriage. She recalls moments of fear and reveals that her ex-wife exhibited violent behavior. Shannon expresses gratitude for the podcast hosts' help in recognizing the need to confront and process those painful experiences in therapy. She hopes to grow stronger and prioritize her needs in future relationships.
Finding Joy and Excitement for the Holidays
Despite initially dreading the upcoming holiday season due to her family history and recent divorce, Shannon has found joy and excitement. By creating new rituals and focusing on her chosen family, she has shifted her perspective. Shannon is eager to celebrate the holidays on her terms, free from the burden of past experiences, and looks forward to living a healthier life.
Balancing Needs and Prioritizing Self-Care
Shannon has come to understand the importance of balancing her needs with the needs of others. She plans to spend Hanukkah with her family and friends while prioritizing her own emotional well-being. Shannon's thoughtful approach to the holidays reflects her commitment to self-care and personal growth.
Disinviting the Ex and Creating Emotional Space
Shannon is consciously disinviting her ex-wife from her thoughts during the holidays. She acknowledges the challenge but is determined to train her brain to refocus on her chosen family and rituals. Shannon recognizes her power to shift her thoughts and is excited about the emotional space she's creating for herself during this holiday season.
Hey, Fellow Travelers. Shannon spent her childhood holiday seasons listening to her divorced parents fight about who would get more time with their kids. Now 32 and a year out from her own divorce, she's dreading her first holiday season without her spouse and managing her parents' disappointment if she doesn't travel to their respective homes during COVID. We help her to see the connection between issues in her marriage and her holiday dilemma, and offer her an empowering way to reclaim the holidays for herself this year.
If you have a dilemma you’d like to discuss with us—big or small—email us at LoriAndGuy@iHeartMedia.com.
