Are you getting ready for Christmas? Are you one of these terribly organised people who have all your cards written, pressies bought and wrapped and deccies up before December even begins?? Or are you, like me, less organised?
I have actually bought a few presents. Unusually. But I still have the bulk of them to get. And people to see, places to go, things to do…and not many days left to do it all!! I don’t know how Christmas manages to sneak up on me every year – I think I’ve got ages to do everything…
And then suddenly, it’s less than a month away and I’m looking at my diary thinking ‘oh dear, when am I going to go there, do that’.
Last week I had a very ‘time-pressured’ week – I felt like every day I had so much to do and so little time. And I don’t want the bulk of December to feel like that while I’m shopping and wrapping and card writing and racing about hither and thither.
I’m going to try (I may not succeed!) to be calm and laid back for the lead up to Christmas. And because I love a top tip list, here’s mine (for me) for the next month. Maybe it’ll help you too? (And if you have any other ‘lead up to Christmas survival tips’, do let me know!)
1. Breathe
Always good advice in day to day life, but especially at busy and stressful times. Take a pause and breathe. Deeply. Not only does this give you a moment of calm and reflection, it also gets oxygen to your brain – necessary if you’re going to work out a schedule to get everything done without burning out.
2. Chill
Yeah, I know, it’s cold enough. That’s not the kind of chillin’ that I mean. I mean chill out, relax, get your shoulders down and away from your ears. Every year I get myself in a tizz about what I’m going to buy so-and-so and how I’ll fit everything in. Every year it all works out in the end. So just don’t worry about it. Expect that everything will fall into place – it’s the most magical time of the year after all.
3. Set some boundaries
Yes, it’s lovely to catch up with friends and family around Christmas – but please learn to say no to things, or change them to suit you more. Everyone’s busy, they’ll understand. And if they don’t, never mind. Your sanity is more important than meeting everyone else’s expectations.
4. Enjoy it
I am not a ‘busy life, yay’ kind of person. I don’t like to rush from event to event, in a whirl. I like to have time to dawdle and ruminate and mull and read and laze. So I can get a bit gnarly in December, when birthdays and Christmas and such mean more busyness. So as much as you can, stay in the moment and enjoy it. Enjoy seeing friends you haven’t seen for a long time. Enjoy shopping for lovely pressies. Enjoy the wrapping and card writing. Enjoy the twinkly lights and tinsel and Christmas music!
5. Make sure you’re filling the tank
I mentioned last week that I have a tendency to overdo it at this time of year – I’m usually launching a book or product (not this year, thank God) while also doing the social and shopping whirl. As a result, I have often ended up sick over Christmas. So as the silly season goes along, make sure you’re taking time to fill up your tank. Eat well, sleep well, relax, allow yourself little luxuries like sitting down and doing nothing! Listen to your body and mind – don’t wear yourself out trying to be “Perfect Mrs Christmas”!
Before we know it, it’ll all be over for another year…so this year, just for fun, see how relaxed and laid-back you can be in the run up to Christmas.
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