Month 12 of 12. It seems incredible and almost unbelievable how quickly the year has ‘swooshed’ by, considering how January still feels like it was just six months ago, but somehow in a month’s time, it’ll be a new year. It all just feels a bit surreal and quite challenging to keep up with, however, we move.
At this point, we are veering into the territory of arguably the busiest time of the year; both for individuals and collectively, and the excitement that has been building since the beginning of the year will culminate and be in full display for the next month or so.
Of course, we appreciate the festivities and celebratory occasions that fill out schedules during this period, but also, we recognise the familial value and intimacy that some of these gatherings offer us: Chances to reconnect with old friends and relatives, as well as the opportunity to strengthen emotional bonds that may have weakened by the lack of time afforded by hectic work and school schedules.
For some, it is the perfect opportunity to recharge, re-align and re-assess themselves and their life options, before moving on to making critical life decisions.
However, all in all, it is a very welcome time of the year that everyone seeks to utilise fully before the beginning of the new year.
From a mental health perspective, the road from January is a long, winding one, and from then, it would not be an exaggeration to assume that everyone has had their fair share of challenges that have impacted their state of mental well-being.
It could have been the demands of their job, being overwhelmed by responsibility or emotional relationship-related stress; the point being, by the time we get to December, we all deserve some ‘time off’, to reconnect with family, reignite old friendships and to just assess ourselves and our growth or lack thereof; all with the purpose of readjusting and recharging our mental health resources to ‘go again’.
It is for this reason that we are to maintain non-judgmental attitudes towards each other, and instead, keep an open mind that is nothing but positivity, especially in communicating with others, whether friends or family.
Also, sometimes being an ‘earpiece’ is all that someone else needs, meaning, the better we are at listening, the better the advice we can provide, as well as provide the needed psycho-emotional support to the next person. In a world where everyone likes to ‘act tough’ and refrains from displaying any kind of sensitivity, it helps greatly to be open to ‘feeling’ and experiencing emotions of all kinds.
As a tool, it is a very useful one to have, to use and to understand yourself and the environment around you in that you become better capacitated to self-comprehension.
I know it is still early in the month, however, these are quite handy tips to consider, as we delve further into the peak of the month and all its festivities, for yourself and your loved ones. Send comments to runsford0505@gmail.com
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