The holidays, with their glittering lights and joyful traditions, often bring both joy and a heavy weight of expectation – especially for caregivers. It’s easy to feel like you must keep everything as it has always been, holding onto past traditions and memories as though they define the season. But caregiving changes us; it changes what we can give, what we can do, and how we experience this time of year. The truth is, we simply cannot do all the things we used to. And that’s okay.
This season invites us to reflect on what truly matters—not the perfect meal, the ideal gifts, or the sparkling décor, but the moments of connection and love, however they may appear. Naming and claiming the reality that our energy is limited does not make us less; it makes us wise. It allows us to embrace the holidays in a way that honors both our present capacity and our past joys.
We can hold our memories of holidays gone by mindfully, savoring them without needing to recreate them. Instead, we can choose to embrace what is present for us this year. Perhaps it’s a quiet afternoon watching a favorite movie, or lighting a candle in remembrance of loved ones, or sharing laughter over a simple meal with those we hold dear.
The guiding light isn’t about doing it all—it’s about finding what truly nurtures your heart and spirit this holiday season. It’s about giving yourself permission to let go of perfection and embrace peace. When we allow the holidays to be different, we create space for beauty and meaning to unfold in ways we might not have anticipated.
This year, let your guiding light be gentleness—toward yourself and toward others. Create breathing spaces where you can simply be and allow the season to meet you where you are, rather than where you think you should be. Whatever this holiday looks like, remember it is enough, and you are enough.
- “What holiday traditions or expectations have I let go of this year, and how can I honor the memories without feeling the need to recreate them? What new traditions or moments can I embrace this season that align with where I am now?”
- “What is one small, meaningful thing I can do to nurture my heart and spirit this holiday season? How can I create a breathing space for myself within all the busyness?”
As I close our year together – I sincerely hope you will remember that caregiving—both for ourselves and others—is an ongoing journey of creating compassionate conversations. These conversations, rooted in presence and love, have the power to deepen our connections and bring light to even the most challenging times.
- Ask the person you are caring for: ‘What is one holiday memory or tradition that brings you joy, and how can we bring a small piece of that into this season together?’
I hope your holidays are filled with moments of peace, connection, and the gentle light of compassion–both for yourself and for those you care for.