Only 7 days until Christmas Eve!
Are you feeling the Christmas crunch already? Or have you been feeling it for a few weeks now?
Let’s be real: as a mom, the holidays are mostly an overwhelming frenzy. It’s easy to get caught up in running around, trying to make sure everything is perfect for everyone, yet forget about yourself. But take a deep breath and relax – we’ve got this!
Here are some tips to help you stay calm and enjoy this weekend and the week ahead.
Take your to-do list and rip it into pieces
Yes, seriously, do it now! Christmas to-do lists get longer and longer, no matter how many items you cross off: never-ending shopping trips, presents that need to be bought and wrapped, cookies that have been baked already, but have been eaten by, well, somebody and need to be baked again, cards that need to be written, elves that need to be remembered and so much more!
This weekend, instead of trying to tackle your liste, use these days as an opportunity to create unforgettable memories with family and friends. Or simply lie on the couch and nap.
Most of the items on your list are unnecessary anyway, right? Right?! 😉
Take some time for yourself – even if it feels impossible
Even if your mind is on a rollercoaster of have tos and can’t dos, give yourself a time out to relax and recharge. An no, you don’t have to go to yoga or meditate if that is not your thing.
Binge watch your favorite show for an hour, go for a morning jog, take a bath (be sure to lock the door) even if it’s in the middle of the day, put your headphones in and listen to some music, disconnect from electronics, or read your favorite book – these are all easy ways you can use to escape the mayhem before Christmas. Don’t wait for permission from anyone, give it to yourself instead and carve out some time for the most important person in your life. Yourself.
Don’t even try to make Christmas perfect
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and celebration. Yet, moms have made it a competition about who’s able to create the most perfect of perfect days and weeks.
Don’t play into this bullshit and instead break free from the expectation that everything can or will ever be perfect – it’s ok to let go and just enjoy the season!
It’s ok if things don’t go according to plan or if something doesn’t turn out exactly how you imagined it. In fact, these are often the times you will remember the most. The situations you’ll laugh about 20 years from now. The moments your kids will tell their kids. So relax, take a deep breath, and allow yourself to be human!
Get outside in nature aka. Get out of the house!
… or the malls, groceries stores, or wherever else you experience the Christmas hustle.
Getting out in nature will do wonders for your mental and physical wellbeing, even if it’s just a short walk around the block. It’ll give you time to take a breath and reflect on the beauty around you. Plus, it’s free! So put on your shoes and get outside – you’ll be amazed how much more grounded and aware you’ll feel.
Just don’t take it so seriously
Let this weekend and the upcoming week be different. In fact, let this whole experience of the holidays be as relaxed as never before and instead of stressing yourself and being all in your mind, drop down into your body focusing on what really matters to you during this time of the year.
And if you like, tell me about it. How will you make sure to stay chill, compassionate and kind to yourself in the coming days?Â
