Easing Holiday Humbug

And just like that, Autumn has been overshadowed by the winter breeze and impending year end transitions. What do you think of when the upcoming festivities start? Is it the twinkling lights, or maybe the holiday meals, or do you feel dread as gift giving, houseguests and seemingly never ending, Holly Jolly to-do lists creep in? This holiday, equip yourself with the
tools and belief that you will confidently make it through another season of commercial pressure, busy days and cold nights. You can rest assured that you’ll be ready for those sneaky Secret Santa exchanges, family get togethers and the inevitable meltdown avoidant moments with minimum effort and maximum mindfulness and maintaining some self-care at the same time!

If you are anything like myself and pretty much everyone I know, you want to spoil those nearest to you during festive times. That can sometimes be difficult as many factors go into shopping for others, year to year. What better way to gift give than to DIY? From self-care to personal interest items, DIY can bring an elevated level of thoughtfulness to a frugal season. You can try your hand at sewing a lavender eye pillow with scraps of fabric and dried beans; perhaps support a small business with a purchase of a votive candle or something affordable your giftee might adore. And how sweet is the gesture of a well thought out personal note with a dried or pressed flower inside. My Aunt, who is a traveling writer, will send letters to her loved ones across the United States detailing her time in each place over the course of the year so she can feel connected to all the hearts she has spread out. A gift from the heart is truly irreplaceable and an extra personal touch to gift giving. Ideas are endless! Be it your spouse you
are having a hard time deciding a gift for, create coupons for a foot rub or at-home date night with a pre-created menu and movie choice! Maybe you’re trying to gift to your best friend of 20 years that seems to have everything and need for nothing, you could plan a surprise dinner for them, with an album of memories to reminisce between you. Whatever you decide, the receiver of your gift will be delighted that you spent the time and thoughtfulness to create something unique to them.

While you are busy at the gift giving ventures, make sure to set aside both time and ability for your own self-care. Now, I know what you may be thinking, “How can I do that when I am pouring into everyone else’s cup”? There is an abundance of ways for you to stop and fit yourself into the hectic holiday schedule. National Alliance on Mental Illness says “the holiday
blues can be managed by knowing and respecting your limits, setting realistic expectations, decorating for your comfort and be extra giving to yourself”. Some suggestions are gifting yourself a budget for a massage the day before or maybe after any the big plans, a new soft couch blanket as an addition to your impeccable home decor, or maybe a self-date or day trip to somewhere you have been meaning to check out in or around your area. Make sure to tell a friend, for the latter. Do what is within your ability for yourself but make sure you are prioritizing YOU. Some other great ideas include allowing yourself to turn on Do Not Disturb,
taking a brisk evening walk without distraction or create space to call a loved one you haven’t spoken to in awhile. Maybe you’ve heard the phrase ‘to know better is to do better’. Over the years, we learn only after we’ve reached our limit and then some, why it’s so important to do better next year. It goes so fast, so don’t miss out on an opportunity to honor and celebrate yourself and that you give and do for others.

It wouldn’t be the holiday season if we weren’t learning lessons from days, months and years passed and making those ever-motivating and sometimes waning resolutions for the new year. How do you make your resolutions; as much pressure and highly optimistic as possible or do you make goals for a long game? Whichever way you go, making goals for yourself should
involve a little grey area that contains grace for yourself when days aren’t so productive. Goals can be worked towards anytime, not just the start of the year. The Cleveland Clinic has tips to keep those new years ambitions, such as focusing on starting a behavior. Research indicates that it’s much easier to start a behavior than to stop one. Some other ideas to set you up for
success include setting ‘liveable’ goals, be specific yet flexible, identify obstacles, get a buddy and keep data on your wins and even what doesn’t work! There is no doubt you will be putting yourself on a positive trajectory when you implement a different process for obtaining your goals.

Now, you should feel prepared to handle the inevitable stress of varying levels in the coming weeks! Show up as the best version of yourself when you use these tips and more to get you through another fast-paced year end. Gift-giving doesn’t have to come with high pressure or high price tags. Do yourself a favor and add yourself to the shopping list, plan a little more quiet time when you’ve heard too much ‘Frosty the Snowman’ and set yourself up to make an impact in your own life when the seasons change again.

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