The calendar is crazy!
Looking at the amount of writing on my kitchen calendar for December is enough to make me tense up inside and want to go crawl back in bed until 2015. It was bad enough before I went to the physical therapist for a bum knee this morning, and he wants to see me twice a week for the next month. Where is THAT time going to come from?
Getting stressed out will not help me or my family, so I’m taking a deep breath, reminding myself what’s important about the season, and resolving to take self-care action by being kind to myself t his holiday season.
My December resolutions:
- I will say No to more party invitations. I love holiday parties, and I love seeing people I don’t see except this time of year. But going out more than two nights in a row is exhausting and throws us off of our routines. So I’m going to try this response next time: “I’m so sorry we won’t be able to join you, but let’s get together in January and treat ourselves to some catch-up time.”
- I will keep snacks out of sight. We will get all kinds of wonderful goodies as Christmas gifts from dear friends and neighbors, and it will be so tempting to keep it out and grab a handful of tasty tidbits every time I go in and out of the kitchen. There’s nothing more depressing than gaining weight over the holidays, and my downfall is cheese, crackers, nuts, and chips (oh, and Chex Mix!). So I will keep it wrapped up and out of sight unless I’m serving them to those dear visitors.
- I will say No to more appointments and commitments. I have client jobs and deadlines. This is not the month to take on more commitments, so I’ll learn to say, “I’m so sorry I can’t take anything else on until the new year. Can this wait? If not, I’d be happy to refer you to someone.” Now how hard is that?
- I will walk every day. This makes so much difference in reducing my stress level. If I can’t get to the gym—or the weather’s too bad outside—I will make a game out of going up and down the steps and pretend I’m in a national forest. (Do you think spraying pine-scented air freshener would help with the illusion?
- I will clean the kitchen every night before I go to bed. That means no dishes left in the drying rack and no books, electronic gadgets, or mail left on the counter. There’s something immensely calming about coming downstairs in the morning to a clean and decluttered kitchen.
- I will count my blessings every morning. I actually do this pretty much every day already, but it’s the perfect time to remind myself that none of the things that usually stress me out during the holidays is anywhere near as important as letting family and friends know they’re important and remembering that Christ’s birth is the reason for the season. Everything else pales in comparison.
- I will not worry about answering every Christmas card before Christmas. Some of you may get New Year’s Cards or even Valentine’s cards instead of Christmas cards. Hopefully an unexpected card and message from me will be even more special than one of many you get between now and Christmas.
How will you be kind to yourself this year?
What strategies have you used that help you enjoy the holidays and embrace the peace on earth we’re supposed to seek? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
Photo credit: “Woman holding Christmas Gifts” by Iko via DollarPhotoClub
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Esther Miller says
atI’m so sorry to hear about the bum knee, Elizabeth. I was going to PT this time last year and so help me, I felt so much better after a while I looked forward to going. I hope it works out as well for you.
BTW…it was awfully good to hear you the other night via the magic of computers and radios!
Esther
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atThanks, Esther. The physical therapist was very positive that he could strengthen my knee (and the hip on the same side) and give me some relief. I got a cortisone shot before we went to England and it was a miracle, but there’s some mechanical malfunction going on.
Yes, it was terrific to hear you and Larry on the ham radio net. Gotta love technology at times like that!
Happy holidays!
Cathy says
atI love that you are taking care of you. By saying yes to everyone else, you end up saying no to yourself and your family. Merry Christmas, dear neighbor!
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atThank you, Cathy! Merry Christmas to you too! I’m so grateful we have such wonderful neighbors as you and your beautiful family.
Mimi Meredith says
atEvery one of these is perfect! Number 5 just solidified my sense that we are long lost soul sisters. I tuck all sorts of little tranquility tricks into my own approach to the holidays and coming downstairs to a clean kitchen and coffee brewing (because I’ve set the timer the night before) is one of them. Creating those kinds of spaces is hard when you are bone weary, but when you take time to make your environment clean and clutter free–even in the tiniest apartment on the tightest of budgets–it has a restorative effect that is empowering. Thanks for sharing. Here’s to healing knees and peace for your beautiful, warm and gracious spirit during this season of Advent!
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atThank you, Mimi! I have no doubt we are long lost soul sisters…and we’re going to get together in person one of these days, I feel sure. I’m really pleased that you resonated with #5 — it seemed a bit quirky, but it’s so true for me, at this time in my life. May you and yours have a blessed Advent and Christmas!
Karen R. Sanderson says
atAll great advice! I wish I could walk (ouside) every day, but in ND, that’s not always wise. Though, I could go to the mall. I have, at times, had to refer propective clients to others. Fortunately, I don’t have a problem with that. I like to concentrate on just one editing/proofreaing client at a time. I don’t have a lot (um, any) people dropping off snacks, so no problem there! As an ‘early to bed’ gal, I don’t accept any invitation that starts at bedtime. I agree with you on the cleaning out the sink thing! Can’t stand waking up to dishes to do. Wonderful post, E.
Elizabeth Cottrell says
atYou remembered a really good one for those of us who have clients — don’t take on too much work over the holidays! I also realized, after writing the post, that not everyone has steps in their house, so they’ll have to think of something else. Merry Christmas!