Article: 8 Ways to Deal With Family Conflicts During Family Gatherings

Family gatherings can bring you and your family many cherished memories. However, there are often challenges when extended families get together.

Perhaps you or other family members have conflicts. Maybe there's a family member or friend at these gatherings that you simply don't get along with. Whatever the case may be, there are certain actions you can take to help keep conflicts to a minimum during reunions, holidays, or special events.

Keep the following tips in mind before you go to family parties:

1. Make peace. If there's an ongoing conflict that can't be resolved before the event, make it a point to put the whole thing on hold. Set those negative feelings aside for the time being and give yourself permission to enjoy yourself.

2. Remember the good times. If one particular person is a challenge, try focusing on the good times. Maybe you've known this person your whole life. Surely there are good memories that you can focus on instead of the ones that are causing you trouble. It's tough to be the bigger person, but in the end, you'll feel better.

3. Focus on the food. While you don't want to go overboard, food can be a nice distraction. There may be quite a spread of appetizers, main courses, and dessert items. Grab your favorites and enjoy. It can help you keep your mind off of the family conflicts.

4. Come to a quiet resolution. If you simply cannot put a challenge aside, deal with the conflict one on one and with a cool head. Remember there's a greater good, and you won't be the one that goes down in history for starting a scene during that reunion or get-together.

5. Stay away from others' arguments. Do your best to stay out of other people's conflicts, even if you're just trying to stick up for somebody. Adding more fire to the mix rarely helps. Allow the people involved with the conflict to work out the situation for themselves.

6. Take a breather. If things start to get too heated for your tastes, temporarily remove yourself from the situation. You can take the dog outside for a walk or play with the little ones. It may be just what you need in order to clear your head and calm down. Decide to put aside your differences until the end of the party, or work out your problem in a way that doesn't involve fighting.

7. Avoid turbulent topics. If you know that certain topics of conversation are likely to cause a stir, make sure that you don't bring them up. If someone else brings up one of these forbidden topics, see what you can do to change the subject before the matter escalates into something worse.

8. Adopt a positive attitude. You might be tempted to go to events with a negative attitude. It's understandable, especially if you're going to be crossing paths with people that often try to cause conflicts. But if you focus on an optimistic attitude before you even approach these events, you may be able to get through them with a smile.

Family parties can be a wonderful time of peace and blessings. Focus on the good things about your family and you'll survive all the togetherness!

Article: 6 Ways to Make Time for YOU in Your Hectic Life

Do you push yourself to be all that you can be? In your drive for excellence, you may take on so many projects that life often seems chaotic. In the midst of doing it all, do you remember to take time for yourself?

Spending time on YOU is critical! It enables you to feel rested, calm, stress-free, and fulfilled. When you've had proper rest, you can accomplish more and maintain the stamina to continue.

On the other hand, if you neglect to make time for yourself, you're more likely to become depressed, stressed, or unhappy.

Perhaps you feel that there's just not enough time for you. Somewhere in the mix, you lost any time you ever had for yourself. However, the good news is that, with some creativity and perseverance, you can recapture some of that critical you-time!

Consider using these strategies to reap some rejuvenating time for yourself:

1. Pencil yourself in. Make time for yourself by adding it as a priority in your schedule. As you fill out your planner, include it along with your other important tasks and stick to the appointment!


2. Give yourself 15 minutes when you get home. Insist on at least 15 minutes of recoup and rejuvenation time when you get home from work. If you have to lock yourself away from stressors or even family members, than that's what you must do! This time allows you to properly transition from your work life to your home life.


• Explain this new technique to your family so that they understand its importance. This way, no one feels like you're just avoiding them!


• A simple strategy is to soak in the bath for 15 minutes. The water will relax you, and you'll feel refreshed after a long day.


3. Take advantage of your lunch break. Your lunch break is there for you to do what you please. After you eat, make good use of your time by going for a walk, exercising, listening to inspiring music, or even get in a bit of shopping if that's what relaxes you.


4. Enjoy a break while the kids nap. Here's a good tip for stay at home moms. Give yourself some much needed "you" time whenever your children sleep. You might be tempted to get as much work done as you can while they're asleep, but you'll find you actually get more done if you give yourself a chance to rest and rejuvenate yourself.


• Explore new ways of accomplishing things like household tasks while your kids are up. For example, turn chores into learning games that you can all participate in.


5. Go to sleep earlier. Going to sleep earlier at night will enable you to get up in time to enjoy some morning "me" time. Just think how pleasant it would be to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning without having to look at your watch.


6. Take a vacation day. Take a vacation day to just relax and do whatever you like. You don't have to take a trip to take a vacation! Time spent on your favorite hobbies will also rejuvenate you. When you return to work, your renewed energy may surprise you!

At first glance, these strategies may look difficult to implement into your busy routine. A good way to get started with them is to incorporate just one at a time. That way, you only have to adjust to one small change. As you become accustomed to that one strategy, you can add another, and then another, until one day you'll find that making time for yourself is easy.

Once you learn to make time for you, you'll have more energy and time to enjoy the good things life has to offer.

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until the next time
Sharon