Every year I swear I'm going to find a better system to enjoy the holidays. It's taken me a while but I've finally managed to build in a few things that help me get through the season. Maybe they will help you too.
Just say no to something you truly don’t want to do. It doesn’t have to be the big thing—but even a little no makes us feel empowered.
Getting pampered means different things to each of us, but especially during this hectic month it’s more important than ever to remember ourselves, too. Can’t get to a massage or even a manicure? Give yourself a 30 minute vacation in the bathtub with warm jazz or holiday music and a book or magazine for company. Hang a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door.
Get your hair trimmed and blown out. Or buy a pretty gold lame scrunchie at American Apparel, put on some blush, and feel like a million bucks.
Enjoy a holiday coffee by topping your regular coffee with some whipped cream, cinnamon and shaved chocolate. Yum!
Reach out to someone else. Somehow this "season to be jolly" brings out the misery in more of us than any other time throughout the year. Give the gift of yourself by calling an out-of-touch friend and you’ll receive much more than you give.
Journal, sketch or photograph moments, phrases, snippets. You don’t need hours to capture the best parts of your life. You just need to pay attention.
Bake some cookies. If you hate baking as much as I do, get the Nestle Toll House cookie dough in the plastic tub and bake that – your house will smell yummy and delicious ----- and they taste sooo good. (Add in M&Ms and bake in mini muffin tins for a special treat.)
Remember the highlights of 2009 - If you have a mac you can easily do a slide show in iPhoto. A power point presentation on a PC is pretty straightforward, too. Either way, it will be fun to show to your pals on New Year’s Eve. (Serious pics or the bloopers – you decide.)
Think about your vision for 2010 - Where do you want to be next year? What would you change about what you’re doing now? “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)
