There’s a lot going on at this time of the year as we get ready for Christmas. Stress is at an all time high … wouldn’t you say? Life is crazy enough but then when you add the holiday “stuff” on top of an already busy schedule? It spells … m-e-l-t-d-o-w-n!
Ok, girlfriends, how do we avoid the holiday meltdowns this year?!
First of all, stop wherever you are in your holiday preparations and celebrations and think about what you want Christmas to be for you and your family. Certainly you don’t want it to be all about stress and meltdowns. I know that my family does not want me to be irritable, resentful, and miserable during a time that is supposed to be about family, love, and celebrations. They told me so many years ago. It was then that I began to scale down and slow down so that I could enjoy the beautiful season that it is.
Forget the picture perfect Christmas. Choose one or two things that are most important and focus on those things. Do you really need a million different kinds of homemade cookies? No! Does your house need to look like something out of a magazine? No! Seriously, keep it all simple so that you can devote the time you do have to those you love in a way that will create beautiful, fun memories.
That takes me to you. You know how it goes … “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” Let’s keep mama happy during this holiday season. What do you need to do to make that happen?
Yes, scale down the preparations and celebrations. But also keep up with your self-care activities. You only need 15 minutes a day – that alone makes such a big difference. But ya know what? If you need to shut the world out for a while, do so. Watch your favorite movie, read a book, take a long nap, a bubble bath or whatever you need to do to restore. These little things make all the difference in the world!
Avoid the holiday meltdowns this year by simplifying and taking a little time to de-stress. It’s the best Christmas gift you can give to your family and yourself!
Do share your own thoughts and ideas in the comment section below.
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Shileen, you are so right about this. As women we always place ourselves last on the list. It is important to take time for ourselves. How can we love and care for others if we feel empty within ourselves.
If we look back at our most cherised memories we do not remember if the house was perfect, how many cookies we baked, it was the moments spent with those we love most that are precious. Every moment is a gift and too precious to waste.
I wish everyone a blessed Christmas!
Becky, thanks so much for your comment. That’s just it! We can’t love and care for others if we ourselves are not filled. With all the extra during the holidays it’s important that we pace ourselves and take the time to fill our cups! We, too, deserve to enjoy this time of year and when we do? We are able to give to and love our families that much more. =)
Shileen & Becky, I believe you two are both right on this part… It’s always so hard to keep up with the holiday spirit when you have like a million things going on through your minds. I like to keep things simple myself, why drown ourselves? I can’t even tell you how amazing it is the holiday seasons can be and how joyous things will be. If anything, shuts me out, I just simply pick up a good book and read by the fireplace. There is nothing like a good book, hot tea, fireplace and listening to Christmas music on my tv… Where I can put all my cares away and focus on myself.
Thanks very much for that interesting insight. Becky and Sarah, I like your comments too.
Apparently charity begins at home.It is not possible to give what we don’t have; as Christ would say love your neighbour as you love yourself.If we first show ourselves a great deal of love those around us will automatically get the feel. Therefore let’s apply this insight as we prepare for xmas and see how it works. Certainly it will be a productive, momorable and lovely season.
God bless you all!
This year I asked my family, “What is really important to you that we do at Christmas? Something that if we didn’t do it, it just wouldn’t seem like Christmas to you.” They each gave me an answer and then I was able to say, “So, if I don’t decorate the banister, it’s not a big deal to you?” They laughed “No!” Knowing what was really important to them freed me up to say no or left go of other things. It was nice. Now that I know what’s important to them, I don’t feel guilty about not doing other things.