The holidays are a mixed bag, aren’t they? It’s supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year”, but for many, the holidays bring up a lot of emotion that seldom gets enough time and space to be acknowledged and handled with elegance, integrity and grace.

Some women are homesick and can’t travel to be with their loved ones. Others are confused and hurt by family feuds, and won’t be invited to be with extended family. Some are experiencing their first holidays without a loved one. While still others feel pulled and stretched to be with everyone and not leave anyone feeling left out – even if it means they’re in the car for most of Christmas day traveling from one family celebration to another.

Even if your holidays aren’t fraught with geographical separation, endings and new beginnings, emotional drama or feeling responsible for everyone else’s happiness at the expense of your own, December is a really busy time of year. So busy, that it can be easy to fall into the trap of over-committing, over-working and exhausting yourself – none of which add to that warm and fuzzy holiday feeling.

I have a few tricks up my sleeve for this beautifully busy time of year – tricks that help me find that place inside of my heart that loves to open up and receive all of the magic and abundance that the holidays have to offer.

Staying connected to yourself during the holidays is one of the most powerful things you can do. It allows you to be present for the time that you share with others. It supports you in listening to what you require to take care of yourself. It also feels really good to take pause and listen to your heart and soul after a long year.

Here are my three holiday traditions for staying connected to myself during this busy time of year:

1) I like to get really clear about what my intentions are for the holidays. Here are three questions I ask myself to help me craft a beautiful and meaningful holiday intention that feels really good to me:

• What do I want to experience this holiday season?

• How do I want to feel during the holidays?

• What’s most important to me at this time?

These questions might sound like they’re all about Me-Me-Me, and indeed they are! I’ve learned that if I don’t tend to my own needs and desires, I have very little to give to others. Since giving is actually very important to me, especially during the holidays, I’m clear that giving from a full cup always works better than one that is half-full or nearly empty.

These questions always help me get clear about the invitations and experiences that I will say yes to, and those that I will say no thank you to. For instance, I want to experience peace and rest this holiday season, and so I’ve said yes to staying at home with family, and no thank you to travel and boisterous holiday party invites that aren’t in alignment with peace and rest.

2) I take myself through a process of deepening my relationship with my inner wisdom and light every December and early January for 13 nights. I don’t share this process with my husband, but rather it’s just about me connecting with me, with my spiritual self, and the energies of the coming year.

The 13 Holy Nights is a tradition that I look forward to every year, and it’s one way that I invite a deep a soulful meaning to this time of year that isn’t dependent upon religion, family, weather, geographical location, or anyone else. Instead, it’s time and space that I set aside to very deliberately and consciously connect to the light of divinity that lives inside of me, and that is mine to share with the world however I choose.

This holiday ritual is a foundational part of my year. It’s become such an important part of my life that I plan my holidays with it in mind. It’s become my go-to tradition for coming home to myself before the New Year begins, and it will be available to you next week.

3) There is so much activity during this time of year, that’s it can be difficult to slow down and appreciate the simple moments. When you do, you’ll experience the holidays from a more powerful and alive place inside of yourself, which makes this time of year feel truly magical and special. Isn’t that what most of us want?

Take a few moments to sit by the fire, or cozy up and read an entire book! Really enjoy that hot cocoa or that conversation with your grandmother, aunt, cousin or dear friend. Run outside and catch snowflakes on your tongue, or sing along to Jingle Bells at the top of your lungs. Go for a walk or a car ride to see the holiday lights in your neighborhood or city. Relish the little moments, and let yourself laugh, play, dream, and cherish whatever this holiday season offers you.

I’ll be sharing my 13 Holy Nights tradition in a very special way in just a few days, so stay tuned for more information on how you can get your hands on this unique, powerful and beautiful addition to your holidays.

And if you’re feeling like you’re buried under too much stuff, too much to do, and too many obligations, it might be time to make space in your life for the things that matter most to you. Join me on December 13^th for a complimentary workshop where I’ll share my special process for making space in your life before the New Year arrives!

Click here to receive access to the workshop and the recording