Keeping it Together: Finding joy during the long weekend

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Keeping it Together

WISDOM AND TIPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT US

Saturday, September 4

Keeping it Together: Finding joy during the long weekend

I'm trying to look towards the positives of the coming months, starting with this long holiday weekend.

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Last weekend I wrote about how I couldn't believe the summer was coming to an end and now here we are officially in September.

While I'm sad to see the days getting darker earlier, there are some things that have me excited for fall.

And after a week of nonstop news I'm trying to look at the positives of the coming months, starting with this long holiday weekend.

I've also heard from readers who are finding joy in the changing of seasons as well.

Cathy York says the heat and humidity in her town of Greensboro, North Carolina, really slows her down in the summertime, so she's looking forward to the fall temperatures to renew her energy for being outside.

"I consider my yard another room of my home when the temperatures are pleasant. I keep a list of projects I want to do so I am prepared once the temperatures drop," she writes. "I also like that I can change the time of day that I walk my dogs. It will no longer have to happen early morning and that is always a nice change in routine."

Where are you finding joy this weekend or even this month? Let me know by sending us an email. Your response may be featured in a future newsletter.

Families clash over vaccines, holiday plans

Pumpkin Spice Lattes have returned, and kids are back in school, but some families are already looking ahead to the holiday season – and dreading it due to differing views on the COVID-19 vaccine amongst family members.

Even though this holiday season presents unique challenges, there are ways to make navigating it a bit easier, says Amy Morin, psychotherapist and editor-in-chief at VeryWell Mind.

For starters, she suggests coming up with a plan based on your values.

"When you're clear on what your values are and how you want to live those values out, it gets a little bit easier to tolerate other people who might not approve," she says.

Language is also important, Morin says. For example, you might use phrasing like: "Here's what we've decided is best for our family right now."

If you're met with pushback, you can end the conversation.

"It's OK to say, 'I appreciate you have a different opinion, but this is what we've decided is best for our family,'" Morin says.

To read the full article, including more tips on navigating complicated holiday plans, click here.

Coming over for Christmas dinner during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two women greet each other at the entrance of a house, with a Christmas decorated table for dinner

MarioGuti, Getty Images

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