‘Tis the Season
I just love the holiday season. I love the joy and happiness of it all. The lights, the parties, the gifts, the sparkly decorations…all of it makes me happy! Now that I am a mom, I get to experience it all through my kids eyes. When I see the excitement and wonder on my kids faces, well there is simply nothing better! It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Also the busiest. If you are a mom, well it’s pretty much insane. Am I right?! Christmas is only a few days away but the to-do list still feels like a mile long!
Moms Run the World
As moms we are basically single-handedly bringing Christmas joy to our kids, our husbands, our colleagues, our husbands colleagues, our extended family, our kids teachers, our friends….I mean you get the point. You name a person or event and there is a gift to buy, a card to send or a cookie to bake for all of them! Add in trying to run a business, write a blog, and manage your social media and it can feel overwhelming and exhausting. All that joy we wanted to spread ends up leaving us drained and feeling anything but joyful.
My Gift to You
So as the holiday is rapidly approaching, let me give you a little Christmas gift. A few days early. I mean, we all know that you are a badass mom and boss lady and that you can do anything, but this Christmas I want to give you strategies to help you intentionally create joy in your holiday festivities!
My number one tip for you to intentionally create joy this holiday season is to switch the automatic conversation you have in your head to an intentional one.
You know those automatic conversations, the ones that say “Im overwhelmed”, “I can’t do it all”, “Why did I say yes to the cookie exchange, I’m a horrible baker!”
Well, instead of saying those things to yourself and not even realizing you are doing it, start an intentional conversation in your head. An intentional conversation is one you specifically pay close attention to and use words, you guessed it, intentionally!
When you shift your mindset and reframe those automatic thoughts into more intentional positive ones, your whole outlook can change!
For example:
- “I’m overwhelmed” becomes: “I have a lot to do today but I know I will get it done”
- “I can’t do it all” becomes: “I can figure out what needs to be accomplished today and focus on that”
- “I’m a horrible baker” becomes: “I might not be Martha Stewart, but I can make my friends laugh at my attempt!”
Being intentional with your thoughts means that you are finding the positive in any situation and focusing on the good, hence the joy!
More Ways to Intentionally Create Joy:
Simplify your tasks. If you are panicking that you are running out of time to wrap tons of presents, post your social media, or write your end of year blog post, stop. Look at your list of to-dos and come up with a way to make each task on your list easier for yourself. Wrap presents in gift bags, spend an hour and schedule all of your social media for the next few days and table that end of year post until after Christmas has passed. By simplifying your list and telling yourself that you can now accomplish these tasks, you’ve just allowed yourself to choose joy.
Understand you can do anything, but maybe not everything. This one is hard. Especially for us Type-A women. But the truth is, sometimes you just have to say no. Think of it this way though. When you say no to one thing, it allows you to say yes to something else. Being honest with yourself about what’s important and then focusing on those activities will bring you joy!
Keep balance in your life. Too much of a good thing, is too much. So keep balance in your life by sticking to your normal healthy habits (exercise, clean food, showers – I know you moms know what I mean! haha) and indulging here and there and when appropriate. The balance will help you stay on top of your game, and feel strong and healthy! And when you do indulge, oh what joy it will be!
When you choose joy, it allows you to be present and focused at your job and then frees you up to spend quality time with your kids and family doing what is most important to you. And that my loves, is what the holiday season is all about!
Merry Christmas my friends! I hope you all have a beautiful holiday with your loved ones!
And remember, you’re not fully dressed until you sparkle!
