The Lasting Positive Impact of Family Traditions

Family is something special and keeping your own family culture thriving and alive is often the result of nurturing family traditions. Traditions are one of the things that make your family unlike any other—something to be passed from generation to generation. Let's dive into how family traditions can have a lasting, positive impact on your life and the lives of your loved ones. 

They help you make memories

I bet you can think of one tradition you and your family have always done together and a whole lot of wonderful memories surrounding it. Memories of moments spent together with the people you love are always a hot topic of conversation whenever you reconnect—the good feelings that fill your heart every time you talk about them never get old. Memories—especially ones involving family tradition—can last a lifetime.

They give you something good to look forward to

When you have family traditions set in stone, whether they fall on a holiday, or on a significant day for your family during the year, you always have something great to look forward to. Whether it’s baking cookies together, sipping grandma’s homemade hot cocoa after the annual family ski trip, or carving pumpkins on Halloween, traditions make any occasion extra special. And they can add a little spice to your life when you need to take a breather from the daily grind.

They provide consistency

Life is constantly changing. Sometimes it feels like right when you catch up and get in the swing of things, something else comes out of nowhere and throws you off balance again. One thing family traditions provide is consistency. When you're feeling lost, traditions can provide stability and make you feel grounded again.

Related: Living in the Now--Being Present

They strengthen your family bonds

Nothing brings you and your loved ones closer than getting together to celebrate traditions and enjoy each other’s company. Traditions remind you about everything your family is—where you came from, where you’re going, how far you’ve come together. Traditions bind you all together in a way that nothing else can. And when circumstances change, or loved ones pass away, continuing traditions allows those loved ones to live on in your heart.

They remind you of what truly matters

All in all, family traditions really open your eyes to what truly matters in life. Your family, your values, and your identity. Often times, it’s not the most marvelous traditions that make the biggest impact. Even something as simple as eating fondue together every Christmas can strengthen the bond between you and the most important people in your life. The most significant and cherished memories of your life could be created from your family traditions, both the big, and the small.