Hello Maria,

The end of the year is approaching which means time for reflection on what we have done and what we can do moving forward. This edition of the IDEA(s) in Motion newsletter addresses just that; how we can learn more so that we can move our organization’s processes to be more inclusive and equitable. This month, look for resources on building resilience and personal growth, improving our performance feedback, ensuring our organizational values are equity centered, and the tools your organization needs to create an action plan, start the work, and evaluate your impact.

As most people are getting ready to gather for the holidays, there are those who find these times to be stressful. Gathering with family you may not see eye-to-eye with, and have distanced yourself from, can be quite daunting for your mental health. Please know that you are not alone. I, for one do not always agree with family members, especially around the holidays, but as I get older, I have learned a few tricks to get me through the holiday season. I have learned to look beyond differences whether they be religious, political, or reasons why I don’t have children yet. I put all differences aside and enjoy the the company of my family, initiate positive conversations, and reminisce on funny childhood memories. If a difficult family member starts to push an uncomfortable topic, it’s okay to diffuse the situation by letting them know that you would rather not talk about that right now. If they respect your boundaries, they will most likely not pursue it. 

There are many resources that can help guide you in preparing for tough or uncomfortable conversations or interactions. First and foremost, your mental health is important and if you need someone to talk to during these times, reach out to a friend or someone you confide in. There are also many licensed therapists who are there to help. BetterHelp provides online therapy and mental health services and signing up is easy. Or if you would rather do some research first, here is an article that Dr. Jacob Goldsmith, a licensed clinical psychologist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, who suggests a three-part strategy to deal with family stress. “Connecting with family when you disagree about politics or religion takes a lot of empathy and a lot of compassion. It also takes emotional awareness, strong communication skills, and the ability to stay relatively calm.” 

Best wishes for a safe holiday season.