Most people who know me are aware that I am not particularly fond of the winter holidays. True, my husband and I host an ever-growing pre-Thanksgiving party for family and friends. This year we had 57 people over for whom I did the majority of the cooking. It was stressful, challenging, tiring...and fun. I really enjoyed putting the whole day together, decorating our house (yes we actually put a tree up BEFORE my December 2nd birthday) and spending so much time in the kitchen. I love the praise and compliments that come from doing something like that successfully as much as I love the distraction from what is coming next. The start of the holidays.

Since our bash is always held the Sunday before Thanksgiving, I keep myself busy right up until turkey day with preparations for and then cleanup after our gathering. But then just a few days later, something in the air changes and it is as if the ghost of all holidays past rides into my life on a giant Butterball. I do my best to be thankful for all that I have in my life and vow to "do it differently this year." But the truth is, the tide of sadness and grief for my long-gone family and past is a very tough one to ride and has become my biggest challenge of the season.

But this year I have decided to be pro-active in warding off melancholy feelings and sad memories. And I wanted to share some of my strategies here in case they were of help to even one other person. I'd love to hear from others about how they get over their own depression during the holidays as long as the solutions do not involve making and eating an entire box of brownies. Here are a few of my on-going activities to beat my inner Grinch this year.

Focusing on having a positive attitude
Saying affirming thoughts out loud like "I am my ideal body weight"
Listening to music I love that is upbeat and sing along
Getting a massage every week (or some other pampering service)
Reading empowering books when I wake up and go to sleep
Drawing a card from my deck of Soul Coaching Cards every day
Writing down my goals and taking action on them
Taking St. John's Wort
Going to the gym even if it is just to use the sauna
Cleaning out a desk drawer or shelf every few days
Getting stuff off my "to do" list
Going to the park and enjoy being outside
New shoes...need I say more?

I doubt there is anything new or earth-shattering on my list, but I am proud of myself for approaching this year's toughest time with a "can do" attitude. I know it is making life easier on those around me, especially my husband, and it is making life easier on me. What's next? Who knows, but I'm on my way to a better than usual birthday and Christmas...and a really fabulous New Year.