Organizing For a Stress-free Holiday: The Gift You Give Yourself

With only about a month before Christmas, it’s a good time to start sharing my favourite tips, designed to ease your stress and increase your enjoyment through the holiday season. This is the first in a series of four. 

Have you ever attended a social engagement out of obligation, only to regret it later? Or have you said ‘yes’ to every party request and then felt overextended and too tired to enjoy yourself? Avoid holiday overload by accepting invitations to only the events you truly want to attend, and allow some downtime in between. If you have difficulty saying ‘no’, consider having a script by the phone to remind you of what to say and how to say it. Something as simple as, “thanks for inviting me but I have another commitment so I’ll have to pass” will get you off the hook. Keep in mind that you are not obligated to accept every request, nor are you obligated to give a reason for declining.

 Mastering the ability to say ‘no’ will buy you more time for the things that bring you pleasure. Block time now, before your holiday schedule fills up, to give yourself a break later and do something that refuels and reenergizes you. Put aside at least half a day to do something you really enjoy: skating, massage, movie, etc. And, most importantly, honor that appointment as you would an invitation from a friend. When you put time aside for self-care, you will find that you actually have more to give those around you, because no one wants to be around an overworked, overtired, crabby martyr.

 One activity I make time for every year is a Christmas tour of houses decorated for the holidays. I go with a group of girlfriends whose company I really enjoy. It never fails to help me relax and get into the holiday spirit.

 What activity would you like to make time for this holiday season?