Good morning, Friend,
Well, my friend … we’ve come to the final weeks of December. This is the time when we gather with loved ones, and we try really, really hard to not talk about anything divisive.
What could possibly go wrong?!
But here’s the thing: the psychological and emotional tax of trying to avoid conflict while politely making small talk is, in my experience, quite high.
I’d like us instead to focus on asking good questions that solicit connection, and gratitude.
Here are my favorite go-to questions for holiday gatherings:
What is your favorite part of the Holiday Season?
What’s a simple pleasure you recently enjoyed—one that only happens in December?
What were the holiday rituals from your childhood that you wanted to carry into adulthood?
What was the best holiday gift you received as a kid? What did you love about it?
What is the happiest memory from 2023 that you’ll carry with you into the future?
Watch as the faces in conversation change from anxious, bored, or strained to thoughtful, warm, and delighted.
We put so much pressure on ourselves to say and do the right things in social situations.
This week, your thought experiment is to focus instead on asking questions, and to giving your full attention to the answers.
It’s so much easier than navigating this year’s conversational landmines.
Deep breath. We got this.
Shine on,
B
