5 Things to Simplify the Season.
Remember when the year 2020 seemed like some futuristic date reserved for the likes of science fiction movies?
Well…it’s here.
We have just under two weeks left of 2019.
Two weeks.
And they’re doozies. Yule, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa…the religions of the world are all celebrating over the next two weeks. Wowza!
Regardless of whatever your spiritual leanings may be, it’s likely you’re feeling the holiday season by now.
Things are busy and bustling. Between shopping, social obligations, overindulging in food and drinks, and what is an emotionally challenging season for many, you may be feeling a bit stretched thin.
Add in the colder temperatures and shorter days, and you may be tempted to throw in the towel, crawl back into bed, and just hide under your fluffy covers until 2020 shows up to shake you awake with a new set of resolutions.
But don’t give up! These last two weeks offer a beautiful opportunity to finish this year on a high note, feeling good, and ready to roll into this next decade with energy and excitement.
I have five things for you to keep your season joyful that will carry you into the next year feeling great:
Take care of YOU. This is the most important thing you can do this season. Let me stop you right now before you start with the litany of reasons why you can’t, because all of them are baloney. All. Of. Them. It’s not selfish to take care of yourself. It makes no one’s life easier or better or happier or more festive to have you exhausted, sick, or cranky. For real. If you truly want to care for the people in your life, then you must be healthy and strong enough to do it. I’m not talking about spending eight hours at the spa here. I’m talking about taking 20 minutes every day to get whatever you need to fill your well. Sit with your morning coffee in blissful silence. Read a trashy novel. Take a hot bath. Get a pedicure. Walk around the block and look at decorations or listen to a fun podcast. Whatever. Just take your 20 minutes of actual quality time and do it every single day. P.S.- If you just said that you don’t have 20 minutes every day, then you definitely, definitely need to take your 20 minutes every day. I mean it.
Practice gratitude. Begin your day with this. As soon as you wake up (yes, before you pee or brush your teeth or even get out of bed), think of five things you're grateful for and write them down. When you get into bed at the end of the day, re-read your list from at morning. When we focus on what we have, we end up having more.
Prepare yourself. Take a few minutes at night to review your schedule for the next day, pack some healthy snacks, and get your clothes ready. This only takes a few minutes at night, but it saves valuable time in the morning. Time you can spend on YOU and writing your gratitude list. It also helps stave off the stress that can be a part of mornings…you’ve already decided what to wear and you already know you have healthy snacks packed, so there is no decision-making that has to be dealt with. It honestly makes a tremendous difference- try it!
Get Excited. This is one of my favorite things to do! I like to play a little game with myself where I go through my day with all the wonder of what is possible. I imagine that around every corner of the day, something wonderful is about to happen, and then I look for it. Something always shows up when I’m paying attention and looking for the joy. I know it sounds cheesy, but seriously- it’s really so much more fun to go through the day like this. Try it out. Relax and have fun with yourself and your life.
Breathe. I know, I know- I always say this, but it’s because it works! Breathing intentionally is a huge game-changer, so I’m going to keep plugging it until you start doing it! (And then I’ll turn the gushing over to you because you’ll be the one who can’t stop talking about it!) After you’ve written down the 5 things you're grateful for, take 5 long, slow breaths. Breathe in through your nose, sending your breath all the way down to your belly, and then exhale from the belly and out through your nose. Try it while waiting in line at the grocery store, or for your shower to get hot, or any time you have a 30 second window and could use a little calming and grounding. Game-changer, I’m telling you!
Look. I know this season can sometimes feel like a minefield that you’re just trying to get through. It can be a lot. But you can take small steps every day that make it all easier to navigate and even- gasp!- FUN!
Tim Ferris famously coined the phrase, “Win the morning, win the day” and I think he has a point. When we start our days with intention, our days tend to follow suit. Give these 5 small things a real try and see if they make a difference in your days!
We have two weeks left of this year. I hope yours are full of joy and love and connection.
Healthy, happy holidays to you and yours!
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Give the gift of health and wellness this year! Gift cards for sessions with me are available in the shop!! Skip the tie for Dad this year (he never wears them anyway!) and give him a more active life doing the things he loves instead!