Oh my GOODNESS! Is it December already???
I am totally not ready for Christmas and all the craziness that goes along with the Christmas season!
In an attempt to defend against Holiday Overload which can lead to extra anxiety and depression (which I definitely do NOT need), I am making a conscious effort to NOT get overloaded. Thought I would share my tips and tricks for surviving the holidays.
Week 1
USE YOUR CALENDAR!
I have a propensity to over-book myself. I love Christmas and all the things we do during December, so my immediate answer to most any invitation is "YES!!!!" I am TRYING to make a habit of saying "Let me check my calendar." This will help me keep my schedule doable. That being said...
I've already stretched myself too thin and it is only December 5!
Saturday was our Ladies Christmas Table Scape dinner. (pictures and post to follow on Thursday of this week) Sunday was church, I'm on the Praise team rotation this month, requiring practice Sunday morning and afternoon. We had a Chili and Soup Fellowship Sunday night.
Last night was my youngest's band concert.
Tonight we are attending a Christmas party.
Tomorrow is Church.
I have horse therapy scheduled for Saturday and am chaperoning a bonfire that night.
Then Church all day Sunday again.
This brings me to my second tip...
BE REALISTIC ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO!
For my friend Christie, the schedule above is no problem. She has 4 children and manages them flawlessly. I, on the other hand, am lucky to get to work with matching shoes most days! Christie can handle this week's schedule without breaking a sweat. Me...not so much. It seriously pushes my limit. My chest is tight and my heart is racing just thinking about it. The thing that is saving me from a panic attack is my calendar...where I can SEE that Thursday and Friday nights are clear.
My point is simply this...be realistic about what you need in terms of social interaction and time alone. If you need alone time like I do, be SURE to schedule that, which segues nicely to tip number 3...
SCHEDULE EVERYTHING!!
A calendar, if used properly, will not only keep you from being over-booked, but will also insure that you have time to care for yourself. Perry told me to schedule EVERYTHING and this has proven more valuable that I thought possible. While you are marking out time for parades, parties, dinners, and concerts, be SURE to also mark time on your calendar for...
- house cleaning (i know...YUCK! but better to have time to do it than to have someone show up with Christmas Cookies and see a week's worth of laundry piled on the couch!)
- REST - oh my goodness, sweetheart...schedule some "me time" - Merry Christmas to ME!!! Schedule time for a nap, reading a book, watching a movie in bed...whatever is relaxing to you. Take time to just REST.
- baking - if you like to bake, that is...if not... just buy it...not worth stressing over!
- cooking - (see note on baking)
- visiting with friends - with all the traveling we do in December, it is so nice to have a stress free evening or afternoon with the people we do life with day in and day out.
STOP GUILTING YOURSELF!!!!
Yes, your kiddo would LOVE for you to make those amazing Santa cupcakes she saw on Pinterest for her class party, but if it requires you to miss 4 of your 6 hours of sleep...not worth it. Go buy some cupcakes and call it a day.
STOP STRESSING YOURSELF!!!
Let's face it. Some women can pull out all the stops, be the perfect hostess or guest and make it look completely effortless, but we ALL know that one woman who is present at EVERY event, is the BEST at everything from decorating to baking, whose kiddos are always dressed all matchy matchy and NEVER have chocolate on their faces, who ALWAYS brings the most beautifully wrapped gifts...and is a total sleep deprived, stressed out jerk.
- Use your calendar.
- Be realistic about what you can do.
- Schedule EVERYTHING (including rest)
- Stop guilting yourself.
- Stress less...ENJOY MORE!
Much love and BIG BIG hugs!!!!!!!
K
