Everything Doesn't Have to Be Big! Giving yourself Space to Create a Joyful Holiday Month Without the Overwhelm

This is time of year when so many of us are pushed and pulled in a variety of directions. We put huge expectations on ourselves to create a perfect holiday for our families. We are often trying to fit in a weeks worth of work when we only have a few days and then we end up running on fumes and fanning our anxiety flames. I get caught in this cycle too and this is the first year that I am intentionally planning how to take back this holiday month and reclaim the joyful spirit that I so want to share with my family and community.


How am I going to do this? Through planning and a deep commitment to self care, meaningful connections and small heartfelt rituals. Planning helps me really see how much time I have, paired with what is truly needed and important. I do by taking my weekly calendar and putting in all the work related time that I HAVE to do. I can then see clearly what chunks of time are free for me to do the other pieces I really need and want to do. I write all my needs and desires and then order them by priority. Some may not get done and that is ok. Give yourself the space to let go.


This month I know I need time each day for self care, which may be 10 minutes of meditation, getting in a walk in nature with a friend, reading a good book, doing yoga having a date with my partner etc. So I put those into my weekly and monthly planner. The other piece that is important at this time of year is to think about how I can make simple heartfelt gifts or give my time to others in need. The anxiety around money this time of year can skyrocket so be gentle with yourself and prioritize what is truly needed and what you can do that feels good. 


Making gifts takes time but I love it. So thinking about what I CAN do and putting that into my planner will allow me to see what is possible or not. If it starts feeling overwhelming I might have to simplify so that I don’t overwhelm myself. We can’t do it all and that is ok. I might only have time to give to one charity and so be it. The gifts I give may be super simple like a baked good and a card inviting a friend to coffee in the months to come. 


EVERYTHING DOSEN’T HAVE TO BE BIG!


The other piece that is paramount for me is creating small rituals of celebration with my daughter and partner. This year we are doing a gratitude tree. Each day we write one thing we are grateful for on a piece of paper and hang it on a branch we found in our yard. We light candles and create joyful spaces in our home. We also like to do simple acts of kindness for those less fortunate. You can do one thing or many. What feels doable?


If you are in a place where money is a real issue and you are feeling overwhelmed please email me your story so that I can put you on my giving list. May we all support each other in bringing joy and light back into our families, community and world through loving action.