an unexpected to-do
December is my birth month. 🥳 Having a birthday sandwiched between thanksgiving and Christmas has not leant itself to a great track record of celebrations.
For examples, we need look no further than a couple of my milestone birthdays:
When I turned 16 (and could get my first drivers license), mother nature delivered the gift of a major blizzard 🌨 complete with terrible road conditions. Only one friend could still attend and instead of being allowed to drive, I remained a passenger for the treacherous ride to an empty theater.
When I turned 21, college final exams created the same result. While I'd been particularly motivated to manage my schedule so that I could celebrate, the day brought a slate full of cancellations and regrets from friends that were (understandably) behind on their final papers or exam-prep.
Now, December is also the renewal month for my licensure as a psychologist in Texas.
That requires submitting all my hours of continuing education credits (along with the fee, of course).
In November, I inventoried and identified which credits I still needed to fulfill. To insure I didn't forget, I added it to my phone's to-do list.
As I typed the abbreviation for continuing education units - CEU - it must have autocorrected.
The next time I looked at the list, CRY was listed toward the top. 😂
While I chuckled at seeing this (and paused to remember what it was that I had originally intended!) I also felt the truth of it.
This is the first birthday and holiday season since my father's death, and includes his birthday as well as my own. Many moments and traditions will be profoundly impacted by his physical absence this year. 💔
There has certainly been a lot more tears and, in a busy schedule, a likely advantage to reminding myself I need to set aside and allow myself time and space to cry.
I know I'm not alone.
Many people experience heightened loss and sadness this time of year. The contrast with joy, connection, and celebration intensifies the grief.
If you know the feeling, reminding yourself "it's okay to cry" by putting it on the to-do list may be your best option!
And, in general, sadness is an emotion to be respected, if not revered.
Here are just a few of the benefits of sadness and tears, should "cry" accidentally (or intentionally) end up on your to-do list:
The release of tears helps the body regain equilibrium.
Sadness and tears remind you of how deeply you can, and have, loved. 🥰
As with all emotions, listening to the sadness reveals what you need to process, heal, and grow.
Honoring your own loss(es) helps you empathize and deepen connection with others.
Sadness is a common, universal experience that can bond and unite people across many other differences.
Whether during this holiday season, or any other time of year, making space for your emotions to process and release alleviates tension, realigns expectations, and supports your emotional resilience.
Might you consider adding "cry" to your to-do list?
If nothing else, when it happens, you'll remember you've tended to something important when you check it off your list! 😜
You've got this.
You matter. You can make a difference. I'm so thankful you're here.
