I’m a little late to the game, but I started yesterday getting ready for Christmas. I do love Christmas — the lights, the music, the movies, family celebrations, parties, my birthday falling right after…But sometimes the prep for holidays can get me down. Because I always go to Mississippi for some part of Christmas, it’s always a battle to decide how much to decorate or not decorate. But this year, I decided that I live here and I should decorate to please myself this holiday season. What a great concept!
I started by taking three garbage bags full of clothes and shoes to Goodwill. These donations are the result of several runs through closets and letting go off things I just never, never, never will wear. They were doing a brisk business at the Goodwill and it was a little hectic getting out of there. That done, I made the mistake of heading to a Christmas tree lot where I can only report that the Grinch had stolen Christmas. Horrible parking, cranky people, and long lines threatened my serenity so I quickly exited. I decided to buy a smaller tree (3 ft.) at Whole Food and I’m shocked to report it only cost $25. That is quite literally the most reasonably priced thing I’ve ever bought at Whole Foods. You can’t even get a piece of salmon for that. Seriously. I really feel like I scored. Plus, its lush and fragrant, petite enough to sit atop small table but big enough for a couple of strings of lights and some ornaments. Miniature but powerful.
As I hiked the Dish this morning with a friend who hurt her shoulder heaving her Christmas tree into the house, I was reminded we really need to be on our game during the holidays. You can’t let yourself get run down or overdosed on sugar or neglect sleep. Just because I’m busy or traveling or whatever, it is no excuse to let go of the fundamentals. I need them now more than ever. I saw it in the stores yesterday and I hear it in friends voices — the stress of trying to making everything perfect, the overeating, overdoing everything, the said-yes-to-too-many-things burn-out, and the endless why-does-none-of-this-make-happy thoughts.
This is the time when the things that work most of the year to keep you sane and reasonably happy are doubly important. For me, my go-to feel good list includes sleep, exercise, and people. In that order. Sleep always restores me and I need lots of it. I’ve stopped lying to myself about that and just surrender. It works every time. Exercise is also so cathartic for me. It cleans my whiteboard, reduces inflammation caused by thinking too much and forces me to focus on things like breathing. Yes, the basics. And people really help me. Not just any people, my people. The ones who know me and love me and I can say anything to. The ones who can talk me out of the crazy and remind me that it is going to be okay. Those people. They know who they are. I feel lucky to have them and I always need them, but I need a lot more of them this time of year.
When I take care of myself, then everything else seems to flow. That’s my way of enjoying the holidays. If you have any helpful survival tips, please do share! I’d love to hear what helps you thrive.
Boonedoggler 