I Choose Not to Take Things Personally

 By Tricia Scott.

Ah, Christmas week... how are you feeling? It's OK, you can be honest. This time of year brings up all kinds of feelings and emotions; each is valid and has a place. 

I still occasionally feel guilty if I'm not consistently jumping through tinsel-trimmed hoops at his time of year, but you know what? A lot is going on. Work (and presents) to wrap up, additional family commitments, a house to clean and a Christmas table to arrange (if you know me, you already know the table drama I give myself yearly). On top of that, there's grief to contend with, missed deadlines and the impending dread of looking through closed fingers at the list of all the things I would achieve this year (spoiler: I did not complete that list). 

So, with us piling this kind of crapola on ourselves, we really don't need it from anyone else. Am I RIGHT? Yet, tis the season for everyone to be in super-close proximity and to have an opinion on what feels like everything. And while it's probably well-intentioned, with the additional pressure of the season, it can feel like the final hat on the Buckaroo donkey. 

KABOOM 💥

Listen, here's what I've learned:

1) My eye roll game is strong this time of year. I can almost see the back of my own head.  

2) You have no control over the words and actions of others, but you do have control over how you allow someone's words and actions to impact you (this is an unfortunate truth that requires radical self-responsibility). 

3) Most of the time, how people respond to you reflects how they're feeling and has nothing to do with you.

4) We are all doing our best, which is more than enough. If that means extending a pressing deadline, binning the turkey and eating a take-out lunch or allowing someone else to cook dinner and pour the wine, let it be so! 

Repeat after me: I choose not to take things personally. 

Easier said than done? Absolutely. But it is very much possible if we make the time and have compassion for ourselves and others.

Connect to this affirmation this week when the heat is on. Check-in on yourself like you would a friend and understand when you are letting the words and actions of others impact your mood, behaviour, and day. Let it go, play a fun game, take a nap, meditate or shake it off and dance around the kitchen in a Christmas onesie while simultaneously eating Christmas pudding. Just find what works and lean in. You'll feel much better, I promise. 

You've got this, and I believe in you.

👉🏼 This affirmation was taken from a series I share every Monday with our Hello CEO mailing list. If you want to join in, head to The Homepage and sign up!

Tricia Scott is a passionate startup business mentor and the Founder and Editor of The Female CEO - Create Evolve Overcome, a platform and digital magazine holding the space to showcase female entrepreneurs from all over the world. 

The Female CEO is gaining global recognition daily and Tricia is able to bring her own level of expertise as a start-up mentor and multi-company director to her very exclusive table along with her team of brilliant Guest Editors and Contributors. You'll usually find her with her MacBook in one hand and a coffee or a glass of something fizzy in the other Reach out anytime!