Christmas 101: I don't know if I want to go to Christmas dinner 20-12-2019
By: César A. Fernández
You have this doubt and you don't know what to do? The first step is to find out what is the reason or background that is making you hesitate to go.
- Are there any ongoing conflicts you are avoiding?
- Are you anticipating uncomfortable questions from your family?
- Don't you feel up to being accompanied?
- Would you like to do something different this year?
- Do you like the party?
Having identified the reason behind your doubt about whether or not to go, you can assess whether it is a strong enough reason for you, and how likely it is that the situation you anticipate will arise.
You can then put together a plan in advance to deal with the situation in the event it happens. You can imagine the situation in your mind and how you would handle it assertively and quickly.
On the other hand, also think about the nice things you can experience in Christmas sharing, and the reasons why it would be worthwhile to attend.
If your reasons for not attending are strong enough for you, imagine in your mind communicating that decision assertively to your family members. Think about if there would be any social / family consequences for you for not attending, and try to make the decision seem more reasonable to you.
Whatever your decision, always think about yourself and your emotional well-being!
