Self Care in the Silly Season
How do I look after myself in this silly season?
School Holidays start; then it’s Christmas: food, people, go here-go there, play nice with this person, have to see that person, got to go to that party, then this Christmas drinks, plus keep up with all the end of year work load, finish those reports, get those costumes made for the church play… then it’s New Years; then it’s working out how to entertain the kids for the rest of holidays – Phew! I’m tired just reading that.
How do you cope with the ‘silliness’ of the Christmas, New Year and holidays time of year?
Do you cope? Or do you just survive?
Well let’s make this Christmas and New Year season one that will be fruitful, productive, refreshing and full of hope, love and joy.
Let’s look at some ways to not only survive but to thrive this Christmas:
Get in early – Get your present shopping done as early as possible. Try not to leave it to the last minute. When it’s left to the last minute, people at the shops are less tolerant, tempers are short, people are rushing, the pressure and stress levels are much higher when people are rushing.
Plan – Plan for Christmas Day and family events. Write a list of what food you are going to make or need to take or provide. That way you have it out on paper and don’t have it going round and round in your mind. When you plan, you can also do certain food shopping ahead of time (cook what you can and freeze it).
Give yourself permission to take a step back – You don’t HAVE to achieve everything your mum always did, or keep up with ALL the family traditions – make your own new family traditions. Give yourself permission to be YOU. You don’t have to be anyone else or live up to anyone else’s expectations.
Value yourself by giving yourself a treat everyday – This is the practice of ‘micro-vacations’. Take a moment once a day to rest and rejuvenate It might be a cup of tea in the sun, or a special little treat, or buy dinner one night instead of cooking, or take 5 mins to read a chapter of your book or look at your favourite magazine. There are more self care ideas here.
Practice gratitude – Be thankful everyday. At the end of everyday ask yourself ‘what am I grateful for today?’ You might dwell on it, or maybe write it down in a journal or do something to be mindful of what you are grateful for.
Take care on the journey this Christmas, New Year and holiday season. I hope and pray it can be a year of thriving and not just surviving.
