Ten Ways to Get Through the Holidays

It’s that time of year again when some of us are already anticipating the overwhelm that is about to knock on the door, with holidays and other activities keeping us very busy. Balancing it all while taking care of ourselves can be tricky.  Here are some things to consider:

1. Be proactive. Instead of running around putting out preventable fires, work on being more organized and disciplined, so you have more healthy control over your life.  We do the necessary daily/weekly/monthly decisions and tasks that help take care of reality so there is less chaos and more peace. For example, having an emergency fund and living within our means helps us be prepared when things happen. We are also not creating drama by overspending.  Instead, we save for holiday spending, we get the car’s oil changed often and we take care of clutter and house maintenance. These boundaries allow us the peace and the freedom to focus on the important stuff…
3. Screw Perfect. Trying to control all the variables will only make it more likely that you will drop more plates and have even more stress.  Get real with what matters most, focus on how to honor that, and try to let go of the rest and go with the flow.  Why kill ourself trying to achieve the perfect decorating theme, buy the perfect gifts and make the perfect food if we’re too stressed out to even enjoy it – or who will then enjoy being around us?
4. Balance Your Needs with Those of Others.  I know it may be hard if you have others to care for, but martyrdom was never the requirement here.  Just plan and make some time to get your things done. To have some downtime too.  You will be more efficient, and more loving and caring for others as you go.
5. Be Realistic.  Allow for life to happen because it will when you least expect it. It’s better to go for doable steps today. Still hold the dream – just make it happen in reality if you can.  Leave buffer time to get somewhere, for packages to arrive, and for things to get done.
6. Stay in Touch with Your Feelings and Your Intuition. Make time for quiet. For meditation and thoughtfulness. Let the answers come. Notice what feels right…and what doesn’t, without overthinking things…
7. Stay Connected to your Body. Make time for rest, nutrition, and healthy exercise.  Pay attention to the aches and pains as a sign to stop or at least slow down.  It’s not selfish. It’s self-care.
8. Set Loving Boundaries.  With many families, there can be dysfunction especially around the holidays.  Take care of yourself, choosing to say no to toxicity, have ways to take a break, detach from the drama or simply limit your time with them.
9. Be Intentional with Your Choices. We can’t put our choices on others or on circumstances.  We are choosing more than we realize sometimes: how we spend our time, our money and our energy. What we prioritize, and what we face head-on.  owning your choices can feel a bit scary at first, but eventually they will be so freeing.
10. Get and Keep Accountability. Around all of the above, because it’s way too easy to get caught up in the fray and forget what you were SO going to do or not do.  Check in with a safe person and tell on yourself. It will help you stay on track.