Finding Peace in Holiday Chaos - Part 1
The holidays can be such a magical and exciting time of year for some. But let’s be real, many of us find ourselves with endless additional tasks on our already full “to-do lists”. Put up the tree - oh wait the lights aren’t working, add buy new lights to the list. Of course, it’s Black Friday so add in extra time to navigate traffic and checkout lanes. Research and buy presents. It feels so good to get the shopping done early, but oh wait, did you remember to buy your kid’s teacher a present and yep there is that work gift exchange [continues to find more presents to buy until Christmas Eve]. Don’t forget we have to make the cookies. The ones that we roll out and take all day and the kids make a huge mess. But the memories are good! Remember to spend agonizing amounts of time picking out just the right Christmas card design and photo. Add taking the kids to see Santa to the list. They may or may not like it when they get there. But first make your kids put on some fancy clothes they don’t want to wear. How many work holiday parties and family get togethers can we fit on the calendar? Something every weekend in the month for sure!
I absolutely love the Christmas season as much as (if not more) than the average person. And yes, I do half the things on the list I mentioned above. A lot of these things can be fun and wonderful traditions, and as parents we often pour our hearts and time into making the holidays a magical and special time for our children and family.
However, it can be so easy to fall into the trap of doing all the things we should do, that we are hardly present in the things we are doing. We get so overwhelmed that these things no longer bring joy but become another task to check off or a post on social media to show that, yes we are having such a joyous Christmas, while in reality we are exhausted and irritable and ready for the season to end.
So how do we manage this? Take control of your schedule. You do not have to do all the things every year. Find the traditions that mean the most to you, and prioritize those. Being present finding contentment and joy in those moments will mean more to you and your family than doing all the things and checking them off your list while burnt out.
One of the things I enjoy most years is designing and sending out Christmas cards. I love checking the mailbox all month and seeing the faces of family friends and mail that isn’t junk or bills so I hope sending our family cards brings that joy to others too. This year, I made the decision that I am not sending out holiday cards. When I look at I what I want to focus my time, money, and energy on, this year it is not the cards. Work is busy and my time outside of that is precious. Sure, I could probably still find the time if it really is what meant the most to me, but as I am writing this and its just over 3 weeks until Christmas I want to make the cookies with my kid, and wrap the presents not at the last minute. I want to take my daughter to see the Nutcracker. I want to have 5 minutes to drink my coffee by the tree. The Christmas cards will probably return next year, if life is any less chaotic (haha). But for this year, my friends and family won’t shame me for not getting a card.
If your holidays feel chaotic take a look at your schedule and see what you can skip and what means the most to you this holiday season. Buy the pies instead of baking them. Take the shortcuts over perfection. Less focus on presents, more focus on being present.
Happy holidays, and take care!
Anna
