3 Ways to Enjoy the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Nov 28, 2020
We are officially in the holiday season.
For many, that means parties to plan, houses to decorate, gifts to buy, special treats to bake, cards to send, school and church performances to attend, outdoor lights display to drive by, and so much more.
But not this year. The holidays will be different this year...just like nearly every other part of 2020. Even so, how can you navigate the holiday season without losing your mind? Here are a couple of ideas for controlling the holiday chaos.
1. Figure Out What's Important.
The holidays are an exciting time, filled with lights, decorations, traditions, and celebrations. But the holidays can also be exhausting. If you're trying to attend every party, go to every event and celebration, do all the things, eat all of the things, and spend all the money, you'll find yourself burned out and exhausted, maybe even a little bitter and decidedly un-festive.
When everything is important, then nothing really is. When you try to do everything, something will come up short. A lot of times, that something is you and your health. If ever there was a year when you want to protect your health, well, this is it.
Truth is, you can't do it all. If you're someone that usually says "yes" to everything, this is the perfect year to practice being selective. Quiet your FOMO. Be judicious with your choices about what you do and where you go.
2. Schedule Your Calendar and Stick to It.
You can tell what's important to someone by looking at their calendar. Especially the appointments that are written in ink. But most people only calendar their work meetings, appointments or commitments with others.
In past years, I'd spend Decembers going to two or three events after work. Every night. Client parties. Holiday open houses. Downtown shopping and wine nights with friends. Cookie exchanges. Christmas concerts at church. The "Nutcracker." Holiday dinners. Holiday brunches. All of it was great fun, but man, it was a lot.
By the time Christmas rolled around, all I wanted to do during the week between Christmas and New Year's was sleep, relax and decompress. Which I typically did, but it was mostly because I'd run myself ragged and I was nursing a bad chest cold or strep throat.
Again, this is not the year you want to play fast and loose with your health.
Self-care is something that easily goes by the wayside when you're crazy busy. And by self-care, I'm not talking about indulgent self-care like massages and nail appointments. I mean sleep, exercise, eating well and drinking enough water. Calendar those things, too. Write them in ink. Keep the appointments you make with yourself.
For the balance of the invites you receive, be very selective. Decide how many "events" you're willing to add to your calendar each week. If it's one, accept one and politely decline the other invites. If it's two or three events, accept two or three and politely decline the other invites.
And remember, too, that you don't need to justify why you can't attend. A simple "thank you, but I have other plans" will do. Even if those other plans include a night at home with a good book and a warm bath.
3. Whatever You Do, Go All In.
Once you've chosen what's important and you've set aside the time on your calendar, go and enjoy. Be completely present. Keep your phone in your handbag. Be there while you're there. Make the memories.
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Enjoy the season, but be good to yourself.
And please, wear your mask.
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