Introduction to doing less this holiday
Have you ever wondered why the holidays fly by so fast? For real. You blink and it’s all over.
That’s because we are too busy during this season. We have 101 things going on at the same time and wonder where the time went when it’s over—missing all the important things.
Christmas time is the most special time of the year. For a lot of reasons. And we have to stop being so busy that we forget to take it all in and enjoy this wonderful, magical, and beautiful time of the year.
It’s time to be less busy this holiday and start enjoying the holidays. Reduce the stress and expectations you put on yourself and make this time of year your best season.
Simplify the holidays and make them less exhausting for yourself and everyone around you.
These holiday hacks are not only beneficial for this year but for the rest of your life. Enjoy every moment of this season with friends and family.
We are so busy during the year and sometimes we neglect our loved ones. This is the time of year to reconnect and spend quality time together. Do not work more on things that are unimportant.
Let’s get into this post to make the holidays less stressful this year.
How to do less this holiday
1. Focus on what’s important
What is important to you? I think for most of us it’s spending time with our loved ones. Checking in and reconnecting with your family.
Not decorating the house or even the food or presents. This can take so much time. The time that could be spent getting to know one another.
By eliminating all the unimportant stuff, you make room for what really matters most. Each other.
2. Start planning early
Try to do everything that can be done in advance before the holidays.
What do you plan on doing this year? Start early and try to scale down from last year. Think about what did and didn’t work last year. What gave you the most stress? Is it possible to dump it this year? If not just find easier ways of doing it.
3. Have a to-do list
Create a to-do list for everything.
- The food
- Gifts
- Decorations
- Cleaning
- Trips planned
- Family visits
Create a list for each of these and more, and tick them off by doing them ahead of time. Try to do less of everything. Going over the top with holiday planning and trying to do it perfectly is what takes up most of your time.
4. Vow to be happy
Nothing and no one is perfect. Things will go wrong and people will upset and disappoint you. Especially when you are around family that you do not necessarily have the best relationship with.
But promise yourself that you will be happy no matter what. You are in charge of your happiness, no one else. Be intentional with your time and happiness.
5. Delegate
Ask for help. Give everyone in the house their own list of holiday chores. Make it fun and turn it into a game. Children love to help if given the chance. They feel seen and inclined. You don’t have to do everything by yourself.
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6. Spent time with yourself
This is the perfect time to check in with yourself and see how you are doing. Instead of focusing on everyone else, focus on yourself. Do things that make you happy.
Go for long walks by yourself. Sleeping late some mornings. Read lots of books and watch your favorite movies. Do what you don’t get to do all year. Be selfish for a change.
The more you take care of yourself, the more productive you’ll be to take care of everyone else.
7. Set boundaries
You are allowed to say no. So say no. And don’t feel bad doing it. It’s your life. Do what makes you happy.
If you don’t want to visit some family members because they are toxic and not good for you, then don’t.
Having clear boundaries is important for everyone involved. Show people how to treat you.
Saying no to things you don’t like will give you time to do things that you do like. Sometimes doing fewer things is more enjoyable.
8. Focus on the positive
This time of year can also come with sadness. It amplifies the things we don’t have. But don’t dwell on the negatives.
Focus on what you do have and be grateful for them. There is always something to be thankful for. And there are always people less fortunate than you. So appreciate what you have.
Related Post:
https://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/wellness/g2044/how-to-have-a-stress-free-christmas/
9. Practice gratitude
Gratitude is very important. The more you are the more you will have to be grateful for. Find everything that you are grateful for.
It can be the smallest thing. A life of gratitude is a happy life. You will feel so much love and joy for everything in life.
10. Live in the moment
Be aware and present in every moment. When you live moment to moment, time goes slow. You see the beauty in everything. Even the bad stuff. And you appreciate the good even more.
Christmas time comes by only once a year, it would be a shame to be so busy with things that won’t matter a month from now.
What people do remember is how they felt in your presence. So be present, have fun and enjoy your friends’ and family’s company. That’s worth more than any gift or food or decor you think is essential.
What to do when you hate the holidays
- Spent alone time
- Do things you love
- Avoid triggers
- Pray and meditate
- Be more positive
Conclusion to do less this holiday
The holidays are a time to be happy and cheerful. But it also comes with a lot of other feelings. Acknowledge how you feel and deal with those feelings constructively.
Everybody goes through a lot, but what’s most important is focusing on the good in our lives and deciding to be happy and grateful for all we all have.
It’s also important to slow down and take it all in. Time is precious. We only have so much of it. Use it wisely and make the most of it. Spend it with loved ones and let go of all the other things that aren’t important.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. Nothing ever is. So go with the flow this holiday. Be present in every moment and enjoy it to the fullest.