Tiffany Shelton is a Woodland Hills Therapist Specializing in Mindfulness Based Therapy

Non-judgment is a concept emphasized in many mindfulness and meditation practices. The notion is based on one of the Buddhist notions of human existence: Anatta. Anatta simply means that if we take a step back from our attachment to outcomes (past and future) we realize that there is no “I”, but instead simply a string of moments we experience and apply our own commentary. During the holidays this commentary of thoughts can become very loud with the pressure to please and for some to be perfect. Wanting the holiday dinner to come out just right, needing the ambiance and decorations to be perfectly fitting, or fretting over the perfect gift are all examples of how in judging ourselves we create unattainable expectations. Beyond these judgments, the holidays bring up even deeper judgmental thoughts and expectations that can harm you and your relationships by taking you out of the present moment and killing empathy for yourself and others.

Here are some tips for using non-judgment to stay present and happy:

– Tiffany is a holistic Woodland Hills therapist (West Valley), as psychological assistant supervised by Jenn Samstag, PsyD, PSY26050. She specializes in women’s empowerment related to self-esteem, self-confidence, and relationship issues. Her writing, public speaking, and teaching endeavors are dedicated to helping others elevate consciousness and well-being. Find out more about Tiffany at www.tiffanyshelton.com