Acknowledging Expectations and Disappointment

Holidays often carry a heavy burden of expectations, which can lead to feelings of disappointment when those expectations are not met. The experience of comparing current holidays to past ones can intensify this emotional strain by creating an unattainable standard for how things should unfold. It is crucial to recognize and accept these feelings of disappointment rather than dismissing them, as suppressing emotions can lead to increased stress. Acknowledging one’s feelings with compassion invites a healthier emotional response and allows for reflection on how these feelings manifest physically in the body.