I feel differently about the holidays this year since coming out. With the current climate and the freshness of being out, I feel like I am experiencing a duality. I feel anxious, worried, scared, and a bit nervous. Yet, at the same time, I feel really excited to be able to experience everything about the holidays in a new way.

In all the excitement, I realized that I spend a lot of time focusing on the harder parts of transitioning and not enjoying it, which is a normal trend in my life. I get bogged down in everything I have going on, or get stuck in my head and forget to live life. This year, I wanted to try something different. I wanted to make space for joy and take note of the ways my joy changes now that I am becoming more myself. So, naturally, my Virgo sun kicked in and got right to work developing a plan.

Below is part of my plan that I feel comfortable sharing. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me!

What would your Holiday Joy Plan look like? What would you include? What are your favorites? Let me know in the comments!

My Holiday Joy Plan

31 Days of Joy

List at least one thing per day during December that brings you joy.

Day 1: Baking Pumpkin Bread

Day 2: Chocolate Advent Calendar

Day 3: Putting up my wreath

Day 4:

Day 5:

Day 6:

Day 7:

Day 8:

Day 9:

Day 10:

…

Day 29:

Day 30:

Day 31:

Holiday Activities and Traditions that Bring Me Joy

• Baking cookies
• Baking breads like pumpkin bread
• Trying holiday dishes and recipes
• Holiday Knitting and Crochet
• ____________________________
• ____________________________
• ____________________________

Events I Want to Attend

• Local Tree Lighting Ceremony
• Light Parade
• ____________________________
• ____________________________
• ____________________________

Holiday Movies and Shows I Enjoy

• Smiley
• The Year Without A Santa Claus
• Holidate
• The Grinch
• Klaus
• ____________________________
• ____________________________
• ____________________________

Holiday Songs, Artists, Albums I Enjoy

• Josh Groban’s Holiday Music
• John Rutter Christmas
• The Trans-Siberian Orchestra
• ____________________________
• ____________________________
• ____________________________

My Favorite Holiday Food, Treats, and Drinks

• Pumpkin Bread
• Snickerdoodle cookies
• Hot chocolate
• Peppermint Mochas
• Gingerbread
• Advent Calendars
• Baked brie
• Thumbprint cookies

Holiday Things That Bring Me Gender Euphoria

• ____________________________
• ____________________________
• ____________________________
• ____________________________
• ____________________________
• ____________________________

Bonus

I had some fun on Canva designing a printable journal version for myself. Here are a few of the pages! Enjoy!