This Expat Life - S0 / E29

#28 Dealing with a Not-So-Perfect Christmas 🎄

Christmas... I LOVE the holidays but they are also a trigger for me. Having grown up with difficult and unconventional family dynamics, the who/what/where of Christmas was always a question mark, bringing up a lot of anxiety.

I assumed that things would get better as I got older, but this year as I find myself single & parentless in my mid-30s, I've realised that damn, Christmas is still a question mark 😩 I'm craving some unconditionality around my favourite holiday so that I don't need to wonder where I'm going to celebrate it this year.

But no need for a pity parade as I learned about a principle that helped me change my mindset many years ago, when I was stuck in Brazil, with a rare parasite, my dad in the hospital, no family or boyfriend around, and a tiny fake Christmas tree in a tropical environment 😅

A not-so-perfect Christmas but the mindset shift worked its magic. And it's a principle I still apply every year!

Listen to this episode how you can apply the principle yourself, and to hear some additional tips I have for you, whether you are far away from your loved ones, single, heartbroken, grieving or dealing with challenging family dynamics. You are not alone! 

🎄🎄🎄


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About This Expat Life

While life abroad is often amazing, it is not only rainbows & butterflies - as all experienced expats very well know. From the pleasures of drinking from fresh coconuts to dealing with a personal crisis, This Expat Life opens up space for all facets of life abroad. And more importantly: what you can do to thrive in it.
Certified coach, former diplomat and forever globetrotter Amanda Molenaar dives into the good, the bad & the ugly of expat life. Expect hands-on tips, deep dives, and relatable stories by fellow expats. Whether you're about to take off on your first international adventure or have been repatted already: This Expat Life is your place to find real understanding and to grow from the inside out.
Find more about Amanda and her programs here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com.