It’s so easy to get lost in the holiday busy-ness, and to lose track of ourselves and the self care that keeps us feeling well and balanced. It’s often hard to prioritize ourselves when we have so many other priorities occurring at the same time. For some people, myself included, we may even feel a little anxious in times like this, and can use some strategies to bring ourselves back to a steady and calm state, so that we can actually enjoy this special time of year, one that we have worked so hard to cultivate.
So, lovely, here are some of my best tried and true methods for returning to myself and feeling sane and centered, even during hectic times, such as the holidays! I hope they help you, like they have helped me :).
1.Identify the self care you do for yourself regularly that keeps you feeling like yourself
For me, this is meditating and moving my body. When I do these things, I feel I can still be myself and have a handle on things, even though it feels like life, or the season has taken over.
What are these for you?
2. Make time for these self care activities, even if they are for shorter time frames.
For example, I may still go for a walk, however it will be for 15 minutes instead of 30. I will still meditate, however instead of 20 minutes, it may be for 10.
Can you still make some time for your best self care practices? If so, how much can you gift yourself?
3. If you feel you don’t have time, remember that all self care has a high ROI. Whatever you invest in yourself, you will always get back in multiples.
If you would like more energy to get through all of your tasks and to-do’s, pause and replenish your reserves:
Allow yourself to rest, a short nap can do wonders!
Move your body for a few minutes, stretch, walk, or lift some weights
Give yourself a break, and focus on something non-holiday related. Read a book, cook a meal, watch a show, call a friend.
4. Remember your why.
Why are you doing all of this in the first place? It’s usually an emotional reason.
For myself, it’s because I want to feel satisfied with how much magic I helped create for my family to enjoy during the holidays, how many traditions we kept going, the memories we created, the pictures we took, and of course the smiles on their faces when they opened their presents!
If you think about it, the reason you’re doing all of this is so you will feel satisfied with yourself and how much love you poured into your family and friends. This doesn’t actually need to be a specific gift or tradition…so if something is going wrong with your plans, a gift didn’t get delivered, or an outing was spoiled, try to come back to the understanding that what really matters is the love you feel for these people, and the time you spend together, no matter what activity your doing.
Identify your why and remind yourself of it when things get too much and you feel overwhelmed.
4. Feel good about what you’ve already accomplished and use that to momentum to keep you going with the rest of your must-do’s.
Feeling bad about not being finished yet is not doing you any favours. Instead, feel good about what you have completed and what’s already done. Find satisfaction with what’s gone well already, and allow your focus to linger there for a little while.
If you only allow yourself to feel good once your entire to-do list is finished, you are robbing yourself of so much joy and satisfaction that you could otherwise be enjoying lovely. You will get it all done, at least the stuff that actually matters. And the rest probably didn’t matter all that much anyhow :).
What have you already accomplished that you can feel good about?
5. Rely on your past track record to boost your faith in yourself and your abilities.
Think back to your past holiday seasons; haven’t you felt this way before, and haven’t you gotten through it and accomplished what you set out to do every time? You will this time too. Rely on your past track record to boost your faith in yourself and your abilities. You always persevere, you will this time too.
How did your past holiday season turn out?
6. Know that you tried your best and that’s all you can do.
We can’t control everything. Things might not happen exactly as planned, and that’s alright! Try to leave room for flexibility so that your mental health doesn’t suffer. Know that you tried your best and that’s all you can do. That’s all anyone can do. So even if someone in your family doesn’t get things together perfectly on their end, give them the benefit of the doubt that they tried their best, just like you did.
I hope this helps you with your wellbeing during the holidays lovely. For more, check out my blog post on Staying Centered During The Holidays.
Wishing you a warm and bright holiday season,
