The holiday season can be a complex time, blending moments of joy and connection with the stress of travel, social expectations, financial concerns, and uncertainty. Disruptions to our habits and routines can leave us more vulnerable to heightened emotions, dysregulation, and other challenges. Combined with an ever-evolving and, for many, increasingly challenging political climate, it’s not uncommon to approach the holiday season and new year with anticipatory unease, wondering: how will this go?
For residents of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, and surrounding areas, uncertainty like this can activate trauma wounds and increase anxiety or depression—especially for neurodivergent individuals who rely on routine and predictability. By practicing the following strategies, we can better prepare ourselves to find comfort and stability as we move through uncertain times.
Take Refuge in the Mundane
When routines are disrupted, we can find predictability in small, consistent actions. By moving with intention, we can create or sustain simple habits that offer a sense of comfort and stability.
Whether it’s listening to a favorite playlist, checking updates from a favorite content creator, or indulging in a comforting hot shower at the same time each day, turning small actions into rituals—like enjoying a daily comfort snack, practicing mindfulness, or journaling—can provide a sense of continuity when everything else feels uncertain.
Keep Your Community Close
Staying connected with people who matter, whether through in-person meetings, social media, or messaging apps, can help us maintain a sense of grounding and support. Strengthening relationships with friends, family, or support networks can offer stability during unpredictable times.
Whether it’s sharing a laugh over coffee or exchanging memes in a group chat, prioritizing meaningful connections can ease the discomfort of uncertainty.
Practice PLEASE
Inspired by Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), the emotional regulation skill known as PLEASE reminds us to focus on basic self-care to reduce vulnerability:
- Physical health
- Lathering up (maintaining hygiene)
- Eating mindfully
- Avoiding mood-altering substances
- Sleeping consistently
- Engaging in regular exercise
While travel or holiday obligations may make these practices challenging, PLEASE is about being mindful of your needs, not striving for perfection. Do what you can to stay attuned to your well-being.
Let Yourself Feel
In times of change and unpredictability, it can be tempting to suppress emotions and maintain a stoic front. However, denying emotions doesn’t make them disappear—it often intensifies them.
Instead, allow yourself to feel your emotions intentionally. Journaling, mindfulness, or exercise can help you process and release those feelings, making them easier to manage.
Stay Open
Uncertainty means the future is unknown. While it’s natural to focus on potential negatives, it’s equally possible that events may unfold in surprisingly positive ways. When you catch yourself imagining worst-case scenarios, remind yourself that things might turn out better than expected.
Book Your Free Consultation
If you’re in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or the surrounding areas, Growth Thru Change is here to help. Contact us for a free consultation and take the first step toward finding balance and stability in uncertain times.
