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This Year, Leave Your Office Worries At The Front Door

Think back to the last time you arrived home and told your family you'd had a bad day. You probably expected them to cut you some slack, and perhaps forgive you for being in a bad mood. Why do we do that? Why do we behave the worst with the people we love the most?
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Businesswoman Opening Office Door
Fuse via Getty Images
Businesswoman Opening Office Door

I attended a convention last week and had the pleasure of playing the role of spectator instead of the speaker. I enjoyed the role reversal. It allowed me to hear things from another perspective -- to sit and say, "I know that" and also to say, "I need to do that," too.

Sometimes we are too close to a situation to realize the impact we're having. Sometimes we can be too involved, too focused and possibly too self-absorbed to think of others.

Think back to the last time you arrived home and told your family you'd had a bad day. You probably expected them to cut you some slack, and perhaps forgive you for being in a bad mood.

Why do we do that? Why do we behave the worst with the people we love the most? And what does that behaviour teach our children, our partners and ourselves?

Darci (the speaker) suggested to us that when we put our hand on the doorknob to enter our home, we need to take a deep breath -- separate from what we left and enjoy what we enjoy most.

Easier said than done.

Christmas is over (and the bills will arrive soon), winter has arrived with a vengeance, the Canadian dollar is in the toilet, and many are worried about their jobs and futures.

It's no wonder we're stressed and irritable. But it doesn't mean we should take it out on our loved ones.

Here are some quick reminders that may help you be the best "you" that you can be for today and into 2016.

Before you open the door:

  • Take a deep breath before you open the door. If necessary, sit in your car or walk around the block until you're ready to open the door.
  • Put a smile on your face. You've just walked into a supportive place. Show your family that you're happy to be with them.
  • Be willing to talk about your day. Don't repress your feelings. In the same vein, don't vent your frustrations on your family and think that is "communicating," either. Talk with your family, not at them.
  • Be present with your family, in mind and body.
  • Focus on what went well today, rather than on what didn't go well.
  • Share something funny that happened to you today, and have everyone else do the same.
  • Be aware of information overload. Yes, information is part of the answer, but too much information can cause fear as well. Get the information you need to know, but don't feel that getting that same information from six different sources is going to make you feel better; it won't.
  • Be thankful every day that you have what you have because there are millions of people who don't have even close to what you have.

These are great messages at any time of the year, not just the holiday season. Family is a gift. Your family might be traditional in nature, or it might be a little less conventional. Your family might be on the other end of a telephone, or your family might have four legs. Family is family, and they deserve the best of you.

I hope that when you walk in the door tonight you walk in with a smile on your face, and an appreciation for what you have. It's worth it.

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