The holidays can be a lot of fun, but let’s face it, they can sometimes be stressful, particularly if you spend them with family. Surrounded by multiple generations of people, many with different perspectives and beliefs, it’s easy to feel triggered or annoyed.
Then there are the challenges associated with going home, whether that means visiting a physical location or returning to the (possibly unhealthy) mental space you occupied as a kid.
And if you do fall into old landmines, it’s all the more frustrating because holidays come but once a year, and they’re supposed to be joyful, right?
If you anticipate today might be fraught with conflict or drama, take a few minutes to reflect on the following quotes (including a couple of my own). Perhaps something here might help you create a little peace—for yourself and the people around you.
20 Quotes for a Drama-Free Holiday
1. “The people who trigger us to feel negative emotions are messengers. They are messengers for the unhealed parts of ourselves.” ~Teal Swan
2. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt
3. “Be selective with your battles. Sometimes peace is better than being right.” ~Unknown
4. “Be kind to unkind people. They need it the most.” ~Unknown
5. ““10% conflict is due to difference in opinion and 90% is due to wrong tone of voice.” ~Frank Viscuso
6. “Practice the pause. Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you’re about to react harshly and you’ll avoid doing and saying things you’ll later regret.” ~Lori Deschene
7. “No response is a response. And a powerful one. Remember that.” ~Unknown
8. “When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control how you respond to what’s happening. That’s where your power lies.” ~Unknown
9. “Don’t make assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.” ~Don Miguel Ruiz
10. “Give people the benefit of the doubt, over and over again, and do the same for yourself. Believe that you’re trying and that they’re trying. See the good in others, so it brings out the best in you.” ~Liz Newman
11. “We don’t have to agree on everything to be kind to one another.” ~Unknown
12. “Be the person who breaks the cycle. If you were judged, choose understanding. If you were rejected, choose acceptance. If you were shamed, choose compassion. Be the person you needed when you were hurting, not the person who hurt you. Vow to be better than what broke you—to heal instead of becoming bitter so you can act from your heart, not your pain.” ~Lori Deschene
13. “Life becomes easier when you let go of the little things that bother you and focus on what makes you feel good.” ~Unknown
14. “You don’t need anyone’s affection or approval in order to be good enough. When someone rejects or abandons or judges you, it isn’t actually about you. It’s about them and their own insecurities, limitations, and needs, and you don’t have to internalize that.” ~Daniell Koepke
15. “Think before you speak, and don’t say everything you think.” ~Alexander Lebed
16. “Most disagreements are caused by different perceptions that created different realities.” ~Unknown
17. “The true mark of maturity is when someone hurts you and you try to understand their situation instead of hurting them back.” ~Unknown
18. “Never waste your time trying to explain who you are to people who are committed to misunderstanding you.” ~Dream Hampton
19. “There can be disagreement without disrespect.” ~Dean Jackson
20. “Instead of getting defensive, just say thanks for letting me know your thoughts. I’ll consider them.” ~Henry Cloud
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Which of these quotes speaks to you the most? And do you have any to add to the list?
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others do the same. She recently created the Breaking Barriers to Self-Care eCourse to help people overcome internal blocks to meeting their needs—so they can feel their best, be their best, and live their best possible life. If you’re ready to start thriving instead of merely surviving, you can learn more and get instant access here.
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