Day 2: A Snowflake

Celebrate your uniqueness.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

A snowflake! Unique and beautiful, like each of us. And just like the holidays bring so much to celebrate, we can celebrate our authentic, unique selves, too.

It’s easy to get into decision overload (and shutdown) during the holidays. There are so many fun things to do, but not enough time or energy to do them. So how do we figure out what to prioritize this season?

I always advise my clients to tap into their core values. These values help determine what you stand for and what meaningful work and activities align with who you truly are. So if you’re finding yourself saying yes to a bunch of activities that don’t reflect those values, it might be time for some changes.

Now I know what you’re thinking—but Dr. Kim, my values are friends and family, and all the choices I make revolve around them. How do I choose?

When I talk about core values, I mean words that reflect who you are at a deeper level. For example, my top values are kindness, making a difference, and joy. When I plan my extra-curricular activities for the holidays, I want to make sure that they are rooted in those three values. If they aren’t, I need to spend some time reflecting.

One of my favorite pieces of advice for families is to talk about their top 3 values as a family. That way, they can make decisions on activities that will make the whole family feel included.

Below is an exercise I give my clients to help them determine their core values. Take some time to reflect on your top 3 values for the season, individually or as a family. It’s perfect for helping you pick a word for the New Year, too!