Do you feel stressed and overwhelmed this time of year?
Are you neglecting what is most important? Things like spending time with your spouse, cleaning your house or exercising?
Are you feeling like you should do certain things but really find no joy in doing them now?
Maybe it is time to analyze your holiday to-do list and take a good look at the “why” behind all your hurry and scurry. What is behind all the stress you are feeling?
Do you enjoy sending our holiday greeting cards? If not, don’t. Now with email and social media you can still send greetings without the tedious job of addressing all those envelopes.
Do you enjoy baking? Or are you just doing it because you have always done it and people expect it from you? Maybe you can buy some goodies at a store and call it “good enough” and avoid all the mess and time that baking can take.
Do you enjoy shopping? Or are you just trying to please people by giving them something? Maybe it is time to replace the gift with time spent with them?
Do you enjoy decorating your home for the holidays or are you just doing it because you have the decorations? Maybe it is time to downsize them a little and just put up what brings you the most joy and donate the rest. Ask yourself, “Who am I trying to impress?”
I have downsized my holidays and have much more joy and less stress. I look forward to the holidays now. It is a chance to really relax and enjoy my friends and family.
I am including a very simple cookie recipe you may enjoy. It involves very little time and effort and not much mess. I love them with pistachios and dried cranberries. It gives them a festive touch. The recipe makes four cookies and can be expanded to make more if you desire.
My hope is that you will find more joy this holiday season by doing less of what you no longer enjoy. We are in our third act now (what I define as ages 60-90). Time to change things up a bit and simplify our lifestyle.
