Although this time of year brings excitement and nostalgia, it also brings about a tremendous amount of stress. Most of us are already extremely busy in our daily lives, let alone all of the add-ons during the month of December. Baking, parties, shopping, addressing greeting cards, gift wrapping, celebration planning, cleaning, decorating, cashier lines, entertaining, working overtime in order to take some vacation time………….. This is known as the never ending holiday list.
So how is it possible to get it all done when you are already so busy? How do you get through these times and still keep your sanity? We can offer you some tips to ease the load, or at least keep you more relaxed in the process.
Make a List
Those who have an ongoing to-do list cannot live without them. Those who don’t practice this regularly ought to try it. There is something to be said about having one of these, since at the very least, you don’t have to deal with all of your to-do thoughts swarming around in your brain. Keep a pad of paper with you at all times and write down your thoughts as they come to your head. Keep it next to your bed so that you can write these items down instead of thinking about them over and over again as you stare up at the ceiling.
If you happen to have a type A personality, you attempt to accomplish EVERYTHING on your list without thinking about it realistically. Make two lists: one list for the things that HAVE to be done and another list for the things that you would like to get done, but will have no extraordinary consequence if you are not able to get to it. Set deadlines for the things that have to be done, and set priorities. Schedule time to get these things done in time for the deadline.
Think Smart, Not Smothered
Think about each item on your list. Some of those things can be simplified. Let’s look at each of these items:
1. Baking- If you bake for your neighbors and family and make eight different types of cookies that are all decorated meticulously, then listen up. This is a very nice gesture, but is it truly necessary? If you enjoy baking, would a pumpkin loaf put into a cute decorative bag do the trick? If you hate baking and do it anyway for the sake of tradition, why not change the tradition and send a cute plant or an ornament instead?
2. Parties- You do not have to say yes to every party to which you are invited! Attend the ones that are the most important to you. Stop by some of the others if you must make an appearance.
3. Shopping- Write down a list of all of the people on your shopping list. If you have any specifics about the gifts that you are planning on purchasing, or budget for each gift, write those down next to each name. Are there any gifts that can be duplicated? Buy a nice vase for your sister and your mother in law- they never see each other or talk, and even if they did, who cares if they received the same vase? Become a wiz at shopping online to avoid the crowds at the mall.
4. Greeting cards- Clean up your list each year to make it lean and mean. Instead of writing a personal note in each card, do a family photo instead. Print your address list out on labels instead of handwriting each one. These things will save a lot of time!
5. Gift wrapping- Use decorative bags and tissue paper instead of wrapping each gift individually.
6. Entertaining- Don’t sweat the small stuff! Those who grace your door step are there because they want to see you and they appreciate your invitation. Cater out instead of planning an extravagant menu. Spend the time needed to get the house in order, but don’t worry if you don’t have all of the decorations on display.
Give Yourself Time to Relax
If you do not allow yourself time to download, you are storing up ammunition that will eventually send you through the roof. Instead, set aside some time everyday to do something relaxing and enjoyable. Your family will appreciate you much more in your relaxed state, and you will be able to enjoy the essence of the season.
Stay Healthy
When life gets busy, the first thing to go is the workout, and while you’re at it, picking up some fast food on the way home from the office may sound like a good idea. But resist the temptation to dwindle your efforts in this area. Without your health, you will not be able to keep up this fast pace. The last thing you need is to catch a cold in the middle of all of your holiday plans. Therefore, make sure that you are eating healthy and getting enough fruits and vegetables every day. Drink enough water. Set aside time at least 4 days a week to exercise. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep. Make sure your family does the same.
Remember the Importance of Relationships
With the hustle and bustle of the season, it is always hard to find the time to spend with the important people in our lives. Remember why you are doing everything that you are doing- all of the traditions and activities that you do are routed in giving to those that you love. Continue to keep this perspective at the forefront of your mind as you go about each day. Being kind is a choice that we all have. When you feel a sense of irritation crop up as a result of someone else’s actions, immediately make the decision to be nice.
All of us at Tessera Performance wish you the happiest holiday season!
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