The Self-Care Mom

Holidays are tough, especially when you do not have your family around. 

All my life I have associated Christmas with the winter season. After moving to South Florida, this coming holiday won’t be the same as others.

For starters, I will be home with my little family and won’t be surrounded by those we left back in North Jersey. Although our home has winter décor, stepping outside won’t be the same.

Without snow, or much of a drop in temperature, it feels as though we are being cheated of a beautiful season.

I’ve been craving hot chocolate, but it doesn’t feel right. My husband says he can crank up the A/C so it can feel as if we’re back up North. Hilarious, no?

Sucking It Up And Celebrating Life

I’ve come to realize that we may never have the same winters here in South Florida, but we have family time – isn’t that what really counts?

They say holidays are the toughest times for families that are apart, and I have to agree. I love being able to spend more time with our boys, but I do miss my family and friends back North. I’m glad our boys keep me smiling during this tough time of the year.

Whenever I feel down, I like to remind myself of the following:

1. There are worse things in life.

It’s good to know the people I love and are still in New Jersey are only a phone call away. Hearing their voice does make a difference.

2. I’m not alone in these feelings.

My husband is also dealing with similar emotions and has left family and friends behind. It’s good to know we have each other in all this.

3. Life is really what you make it.

I’m a firm believer that if you don’t like something that cannot be changed, you’ll have to change how you feel about it instead. This is how I’ve been able to manage my emotions since the move.

4. Love is really all you need.

I’m always looking for ways to improve the relationships I have that I feel are worth working on. I have plenty of love in my life – near and far.

5. Treasure the moments.

Life can be unpredictable and you just never know when something might happen to you or someone you love. I do my best to deal to reach out to those I love and remember happy times with them. They don’t last forever.

For other families dealing with change this winter, I highly recommend you try something new. Try something that makes you smile. You have one life to live, and if you really want to make the most of it, you will need to go after whatever it is that keeps you happy.

How do you deal with holiday blues?