It’s just a day before Christmas Eve and I’ve been waiting anxiously for the big meltdown. While I have sat through hours of traffic I will never get back and walked through malls in a zombie-like state, this year has been surprisingly uneventful. Yes there has been mini disappointments, annoying incidences, and moments of stomach clenching stress (which may be all that holiday food). But overall, I’ve been able to ride the wave of unpredictability with conscious ease.

Maybe it’s because of my decision this year to take things relatively easily. No need to buy the “perfect” gift. It’s all right if I unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings. And if not everyone is happy this holiday, it won’t kill me. In fact, trying to make everyone happy might.

Or maybe it’s these five top posts that’s helped me pull an invisible armor over my highly sensitive soul. Reading them has taught me to keep up my exercise program to abate holiday stress, soothe myself to avoid emotional eating, and be conscious of what I want to bring into the new year. This is one of my favorite quotes from one of our top posts. “If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.” – Pema Chodron

It’s still early. And I know I can’t be completely confident yet. But I liked to think that the entirety of this year has given me the tools to cope. And if so, this really will be a happy holiday after all!

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