I am dreading an upcoming date. What should I do?

I am dreading upcoming days (anniversaries, birthdays, or other significant days or events). What should I do?

Take a deep breath.  Know that it’s ok to dread upcoming days. And there is no right or wrong way to celebrate, or even acknowledge, significant dates. I have found that for many people I have worked with, the anticipation of the day is actually worse than the day itself, although for you that might be different. You are allowed to say no to anything that doesn’t feel right to you.

You are allowed to change your mind. You are allowed to cancel at the last minute. You are allowed to leave an event that feels suffocating. Get curious about what sorts of emotions are coming up for you as the day approaches, as these might signal something that you need. For example, if you feel completely overwhelmed at the thought of planning a holiday meal, perhaps you are just generally overwhelmed and your system needs to slow down. How can you give yourself even just 5% of what you need? On the day of, check in with yourself at regular intervals throughout the day to see what you need in any given moment, and give yourself permission to honor that.

Be clear, be confident, and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.