With the holidays here and the year coming to a close, many people are preparing to spend time with loved ones. This time of year often reminds us of all the love we have for family, friends, communities, and those we have lost. This feeling of deep affection for others is a beautiful thing, yet it can also be a significant source of invisible work.

Thinking of the holidays alone, making travel plans, choosing the perfect gift, preparing meals, honoring loss, or decorating to create the perfect atmosphere for visitors requires a lot of time and effort. These moments can make the work more visible, but they are not the only times it shows up. Behind all this joy and love is a lot of work. That is why being open about what is required and asking for help can be important. You can still have things the way you want them; you do not, however, have to do them all on your own.

If you are the person who usually "just takes care of things" for everyone else, consider why you are doing it. Are you making it seem like no big deal because that is the way it has always been done in your family? If so, consider taking time to plan out the holiday season and the work that comes with it. You might even think of it as a shared family project where everyone gets involved in some way.

This is easier said than done, as some people will feel guilty because they are not able to do everything themselves. Perhaps fueled by........

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