The holiday season is dedicated to a sense of joy and gratitude. With a breast cancer diagnosis, it can be challenging to tap into those feelings and celebrate the way you’d like to. If you’re going through difficult times, it is natural to feel angry, sad, grumpy, upset, scared – anything but festive and joyous. 

However, actively cultivating more positive feelings (that you aren’t feeling naturally) can help you through this challenging time. Here are a few ways to help you find joy and gratitude this season: 

1) Mindfulness

It might sound too simple, but meditation and introspection are shown to dramatically improve your mental health, even while undergoing cancer treatment. A positive mindset starts from within, so make time for yourself this holiday season. 

In your quiet time, begin to focus on being grateful for yourself. Make a list of things you like about yourself. Say them out loud and be authentically positive. As you begin to be positive about yourself, it will help you feel open to the joyous moments of the holiday season.

2) Give Back

Volunteering or giving back to others during the holidays is a great way to turn the focus away from your stresses. Dedicating your time and energy to causes that you care about will help you feed your soul, while also helping someone in need. Giving outward helps elevate your sense of gratitude.

3) Start a Joy List

Find one thing – just one thing – to be grateful for each day and write it down. Choose something that brings you joy, like a favorite song, the smile of a loved one, a beautiful sunset, taking another breath, or eating ice cream. It doesn’t have to be profound. Find a small blessing every day and write it down. As you watch your list grow, read the previous days’ joys and find the gratitude grow along with the list.

4) Unplug

You are hereby given permission to unplug and disconnect from media for whatever length of time you deem necessary. Turn off the news. Take a break from social media. The world will keep spinning, whether you know all the scary stuff bombarding you constantly or not. When you’re already navigating your treatment and the emotions that surround your journey, it’s okay to step away from the world and prioritize yourself. You can rejoin social media and tune back into world events when you feel ready – those connections will always be waiting for you in the future.

5) Surround Yourself with Positive People

The company you keep has a big impact on your attitude and outlook. If you surround yourself with people who are judgmental or negative, you’ll find yourself often going down that same path. If you surround yourself with people who are positive, grateful, and kind, you’ll find yourself absorbing and reflecting those same traits.

Practice Thankfulness

Gratitude, as a discipline, is a choice. Giving thanks is an action. Make a choice, take action, and find a way to be grateful today. 

If you want to surround yourself with positive, encouraging people who will help you find a reason to be thankful today, reach out to the caring staff at Pretty in Pink Boutique at 615-777-PINK.