Living Up To Expectations During The Holidays

By Moushumi Ghose. Posted on Dec 19th 2011.

small gift — Don't let social expectations dictate your holiday season.

Having a good job, money, and nice things really help our social status, but do they help our souls?

List who you would like to see and who you'd like to spend time with and reach out to. List who you want to buy gifts for. And then prioritize this list.What do you have time for? What do you have money for? Be realistic.

Then pare this list down just a tiny bit more if it's too long. Remember the holidays are a time of fun. Not stress. Not giving, not receiving, but for enjoying. Don't feel bad about wanting to spend time alone. Don't feel bad for ducking out of the work party or the family dinner early. 10 Ways To Have A Loving Holiday Season

More from YourTango: 12 Holiday Gifts & What They Say About Your Relationship

It's important that you take care of yourself. Just be honest, and authentic. Sure, people may get mad, upset, hurt, but taking care of yourself is key to being authentic and genuine with others. Do what you have time for and don't fret the rest. Just remember, there are 12 months in the year when you can make it up to those who get sad, upset or hurt ... That is, if you really want to.

More from YourTango: 5 Tips For Making Holiday Plans With Your Partner

And the other stuff, well, do what you truly love. It's important to find your passion, your drive, your motivation. Find out what you are passionate about and do it, not because it means anything to anyone but you. See if you can do that first, before popping what I call the last resort pill, the anti-depressant. I truly believe that if you do what you love, then you will have no choice but to be successful at it. Doesn't that sound better than being mediocre at a hum drum job?

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Moushumi Ghose

Marriage and Family Therapist

Moushumi Ghose, MFT specializes in sex and relationships and is based in Los Angeles.

She is the host of The Sex Talk, a web-series dedicated to raising awarenes about sex, and sexuality.

Visit her website at www.LASexTherapist.com

Subscribe to The Sex Talk Series at www.TheSexTalkSeries.com

Listen to podcasts at Sex, Love and Rock 'N' Roll Radio.

Get Mou's eBook at Marriage, Money and Porn: A Quick and Easy Guide to Navigating Your 21st Century Relationship

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Location: Los Angeles, CA

Credentials: LMFT, MA, MFT

Website: http://www.LASexTherapist.com

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