The holiday time can be completely crazy. So I thought I would share a little of how I survive this time when there are so many demands on time.
I’m the first to admit I’m not a perfectly organized person, but I really love when everything is in it’s proper place. If I could live with a professional organizer I’d be a pretty happy girl, but I guess my husband will do. I can become especially frazzled during this time of year because there is so much to do before the year ends.
In the midst of all the pictures and cooking and baking everything can become bananas and I can completely forget about what the time is really about. There are a few things I do to help things transition smoothly. Here are my shareable tips:
- Smile a lot. I know this can sound kind of silly, but I think smiling can change a person’s mood. Many, many, many, many years ago I worked happily for the Mouse at Disneyland in California and you have to be happy and smile even when you’re not feeling it. Even on a bad day I had to plaster on a smile and by the end of the shift I usually felt pretty great!
- Decide on your Must Dos for the Season. This usually saves me from thinking I wish we had… I decide a head of time what I want to get done in the last month of the year and for the holidays. Then I generally plan where it can all fit. I also decide what I can take or leave so that those are the first activities to get cut. With the kiddos there usually is so much more added to the schedule so thinking about this ahead of time really helps me. There are certain things that I know I definitely have to do. Like a good family photo during the holiday time (I’ve been kind of been absent in photos for a while and I’ve been making more of an effort to be present) or a picture with santa for my little ones.
- Handle yourself with care. I think this one is the most important during this time. While I think it’s incredible to give, I know that you’ll have nothing to give if you’re not taking time for yourself. We can become so wrapped up in family and friends that we don’t take time to breath and create a little mental space. Sometimes something as simple as getting a little mani pedi for yourself can completely spruce up your holiday mood.
Bonus Tip: Be Grateful. Enough said.