How To Survive Going Home For The Holidays!
Cosmopolitan - South Africa|December 2017

You may be living independently, acing your job and adulting hard – but when you head home for the holidays, you feel trapped and treated like a child. As much as we love our family, readjusting to intense time together can be tricky…

Bianca Hartel
How To Survive Going Home For The Holidays!

If you’re being hounded by askholes

If you’re bracing yourself for questions about when you’ll find a husband, remember: ‘You have a right to maintain personal boundaries,’ says counselling psychologist and life coach Kerry Acheson (Consultingkerry.co.za). It’s okay to share only as much as you feel comfortable sharing. If you prefer to keep things jolly, questions can be shut down with a lighthearted, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll be the first to know!’ Or you can laugh it off before redirecting the conversation or excusing yourself. If it’s a question your family asks often, a direct approach can help prevent it in the future. ‘I’m not really comfortable discussing that; I’m sure you understand’ is firm but respectful. It’s also helpful to decide on a default response beforehand. A standard line such as ‘When I decide the time is right’ works well.

If you’re expected to buy gifts but broke is your middle name

This story is from the December 2017 edition of Cosmopolitan - South Africa.

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This story is from the December 2017 edition of Cosmopolitan - South Africa.

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