Does the thought of gathering with your family for the holidays make you feel stressed? The holidays are portrayed as a time of joy and family traditions, but for many people feelings of loneliness, obligation, and stress surface as the holiday season gets under way. Between the end of November and January, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s. That is a lot of celebrating and honestly, all that holiday togetherness is not always easy.
I have talked with several people that are feeling stressed about the holidays and family gatherings this year. A client asked me for Feng Shui tips to make her holidays with family more enjoyable, easy, and fun. Even though many of her family members live in the same town, it seems that they only see one another during the holidays. Many arrive to her home in a pleasant mood. It is not long until opinions differ and the silent judgements begin, which is witnessed by the sharp looks on thier faces. As the pleasant mood fades it is easy to see that every idea or thought becomes guarded. At first critical comments are spoken softly, as if no one were listening. Soon the tension builds and the volume increases, until people are uncomfortable, a few people are visibly angry, and others just avoid talking to anyone. My client wants to use Feng Shui principles to create a peaceful and cooperative environment in her home. She also wants people to have fun [Read more…]