The problem is, when we start to place conditions on when, or how, or why we love ourselves, we’re not practicing self-love at all – what we’re creating is a transactional agreement that robs us of our joy. Because each time we inevitably break that agreement, we slowly chip away at our self-worth, until we lose our ability to appreciate what makes us unique – and accept ourselves as we are.

It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving – and the start of the joyous holiday season – is already upon us. While I easily find joy in the celebration of abundance and presence, I know that for many of us, that joy gets buried beneath an onslaught of anxiety, stress, busy schedules, and overflowing to-do lists. Thanks to four simple practices that can be done any time of year, managing the stress we create for ourselves and maintaining the joy that underpins the very purpose of the holiday season may be simpler than you think.

Learning to recognize the difference between the leap that exhilarates you, inspires you to explore the world that’s within your grasp if you only reach for it – and the dive that glimmered with false promise but leaves you grasping for rough edges as you fight the free fall you’d never bargained for. Trusting the process –and the growth that accompanies new experiences – can only triumph if we learn how to read our internal compass. And the more we tune in with our intuition, the stronger the connection.

It happens to the best of us.

Negative self-talk, self-deprecating comments, words that chip away at the fragile container of our self-worth.

As a result, we second-guess our decisions, we shy away from new experiences and opportunities, and we lose sight of what makes us unique – until we’re only pale reflections of the people we’re meant to be. 

But we have the power to change the script when we choose a new inner monologue.

Imagine this: you wake up each morning excited to take on the day’s challenges, confident that you’re equipped to tackle whatever comes your way. You feel alive and at ease, calm and at peace – living in alignment with the unique skills, priorities, and passions that make you, you.

Just over a week ago, I celebrated my twin sister’s wedding on our shared birthday – a scheduling choice that initially prompted disappointment, but ultimately flooded me with gratitude for the most unforgettable celebration I’ve experienced to date.

As I reflected on my birthday weekend and my surpassed expectations, I took a step back and surveyed the past year as a whole– recognizing that the reality, too, exceeded my wildest expectations.

When’s the last time you gave yourself a proverbial high five?

 For most of us, it’s hard to consider those small accomplishments we achieve day in and day out much of a success, but the truth is that it’s those seemingly small successes that enable us to achieve our bigger goals – and experience greater joy along the way.

Spending just a few moments checking in with ourselves – exploring the mind, body, spirit, and our sense of community – can help us identify areas we need to nurture and prioritize. This practice can be helpful to complete weekly or monthly to enable a holistic intention-setting approach tailored to serve you — wherever you are in your journey.  

If we’re disempowered by our capacity to choose and confined by our anxieties – whether real or perceived – the competing priorities and multiple tasks we set out to accomplish at the start of the day may quickly morph into an obstacle course that’s difficult to navigate.

Once we recognize that we as human beings have limited energy stores—coupled with limitless potential – we begin to understand the significance of tuning in with our unique energetic needs and truly listening to our bodies. Because when we’re each able to show up as the most aligned versions of ourselves, we are empowered to step into our potential and create a more balanced reality.

Find what inspires you and what motivates you, and don’t let it out of your sight. Be pragmatic, but don’t lose your ability to dream. Keep opening doors, and windows, and everything in between – because they won’t all lead you to your unique path – but you won’t know until you have the courage to turn the handle.

By developing a routine that helps you enhance your time management, productivity, and overall level of fulfillment, you can make small changes that impact your life in a big way.