As we hurtle towards the end of the year, when all our bodies and minds want to do is slow down, it’s one of the busiest times of the year, and unfortunately it’s very difficult to slow down and unwind. It’s exhausting, I’m exhausted, I figure its my body clock screaming at me to slow down. It’s hard to listen though, with all the fever and cheer to be had. This year I am doing my best, to take some time and listen, especially if I am pushing too hard, and not beat myself up for that. To actually listen to my body when its telling me to rest.
I know Christmas is not everyone’s cup of tea. For me though, I have always loved this time of year. I have held onto my childhood spirit. There is one or two memories that just stayed with me, and they make me feel all cozy and frivolously festive. I love the cooking and baking smells in the kitchen, I delight in recreating them year after year, decorating the Christmas tree, finding a perfect gift, the lights, cooler brisk weather, the anticipation of whether it will snow. Perhaps there is something I have wired in my brain to tap back into that feeling and it just happens naturally for me.
It’s also a difficult time of year for many, especially if we have lost someone dear to us around this time of year or be it any other time,loss is highlighted. As it’s the end of year we all naturally reflect on what has gone before. It’s a time of year of letting go, being with family and love, we think of the loved ones who have left this world. It’s a happy and sorrowful mash-up. No wonder emotions run high, exhaustion of the year gone by coupled with pressure for everyone to be jolly and happy, can bring on unwanted stress.
How can we try make our own Christmas’s a good one?Especially a time when people honour tradition. My family have had to change our traditions throughout the years, and this is healthy. When something isn’t working anymore or has grown tired, we shouldn’t be afraid to change it up and make new memories with new traditions. Our circumstances are always changing as we grow older, we can, with kindness move forward, make way for new ways to enjoy this time of year. Celebrate the new, say goodbye to the old, isn’t that what we are ultimately doing at this time of year in any-case?. One tradition we manage to hold onto in our house is our Christmas toast. ‘To absent friends and loved ones’ This came from my Mum’s side of the family. It’s so simple but has so much meaning for us, especially after recent losses, changes in circumstances and tradition, with my brother being unable to be with us the last 2 years. Good news is, we created a new tradition for when he comes home in January now.
Perhaps we can put things in place that will help you have a Merrier Christmas and take some pressure off. Setting a time frame of how much intense family interaction you are going to do, giving yourself some space throughout the day, a time out. Having a longer shower, listening to favourite music, going for a walk, getting outdoors…I don’t know what it might be, try tap into something that gives you a little joy and use it to help relax and enjoy the break and not hurtle through it at light speed without taking a breath.
Lets take a breath, slow down and enjoy a well needed break.
This is one of my favourite Christmas morning memories, we got plastic red noses in our stockings, I thought it was the funniest thing ever, I laughed so hard I cried 😂
A journey of self help and love 