How to Simplify and Savor the Season by Connie Sokol

 

Like other women, my response to the coming holidays can often go like this: panic, stare, shudder and roll over, desperately clutching a tin of Danish butter cookies.

But no more. This year, we can enjoy the holidays with a few quick, actually useable tips.

1. Focus on a feeling.  At the risk of sounding too Hallmark Theater, consider ahead of time this question: What feeling do I/does my family want to experience and remember the most this holiday season? 

The particular feeling you and your family want isn’t as crucial as being intentional about it.  Choose a feeling that fits your needs or desires: peaceful, exciting, joyful, or spiritually grounding. What matters most is that you choose what matters to you and your family. Then ask each member to choose ONE family tradition that is the most meaningful. As you enjoy those traditions, each person will experience that personally satiated, contented feeling.

Step 2: Family Buy-in

Too often women feel solely responsible for creating a successful holiday season, but when we involve our families, they feel more joy, create memories, and learn life skills. To do this takes getting the buy-in—meaning, holding a semi-official meeting to ensure that with time, energy, and enthusiasm, they will put aside electronics to help hang the holly wreaths.

The holidays are for family, so let them help. Let go of your inner controlling Mrs. Claus, and understand that even she uses elves (I have it on good authority). When everyone pitches in, each can enjoy the experience and you can let go of the Mom Show. Not only is that a gift here and now for you, but it is also a future gift for your children, because they will use those life skills year after year and prepare them to be stellar adults (and relieve your holiday stress).

3. Keep it simple. Especially during the holidays, conventional wisdom encourages women to consciously assess and reduce their expectations, because emotional and physical overload can create “yo-yo” emotions. Too much to do combined with the desire to please too many people can create a lose-lose situation.

So the point here is, to keep it simple. Ask yourself:

Am I doing this to create family memories, or for show?

Am I making this because I love my family, or to check it off the list?  

Am I being present in the moment and enjoying this event or am I thinking ahead to when it will be done, or planning the next thing?

Consider how much holiday stress you’ll eliminate by focusing on those who matter most and not on how someone might perceive you or your item, event, or decor.

The holidays can be a time of joy and peace and giving. With a bit of simple organization and intentional savoring, we can experience just that.

Best,

Connie Sokol

**TWO GIFTS FOR YOU TODAY! The new, Simplify & Savor the Season: Organize and Re-energize Your Holidays is available through FRIDAY (October 8, 2013) for only $.99!! Partial proceeds donated to the Utah Food Bank. AND after purchase, email us at [email protected] and you will receive a free PDF download of the companion Simplify & Savor Take-Along planning booklet (plan it then tote it in your purse!) Start the holidays right with simple organization, helping others, and a free gift for you!