The past week has been going generally well, but I do feel that sense of the "holiday rush" (sometimes picked up from other people!) and wishing Christmas was how it used to be when I was growing up (everything was so simple back then, right?!). Unfortunately that just isn't realistic; people get older, people move on, people sometimes move away, and family and friends don't always get along. It's just a part of the circle of life and dealing with human nature.
So I've been trying to bring out some holiday cheer through little things here and there: decorating, baking Christmas cookies while listening to holiday music, sending out some Christmas cards (unfortunately it's lost its popularity throughout the years), and wearing festive jewelry and outfits. Sometimes you have to create new holiday traditions and reach out to different people. Or try to mend old broken ties. Do what feels right for you, and don't base it on what you feel you "should" do as suggested by other people or society. Be compassionate and extra gentle with yourself. In addition to holiday stress, the winter lack of sunlight and the harsh weather (especially where I live in Central New York!) is another common frustration. That's why now is the perfect time to put in the extra effort into your self-care routine. Go easy on yourself when you're feeling emotional or lack motivation. It's perfectly normal and okay. Take breaks when you need it to rest and decompress. Setting boundaries and not overworking or being a perfectionist is essential.
For me I find that it's easy to get distracted this time of year with all of the busyness and emotions running high, so I have to remind myself to practice my daily self-care routine (I especially enjoy saying positive affirmations and using creative visualization). The past few days I have made sure to spend some times prioritizing (I love making lists of everything!). Self-care always comes first. As the saying goes, "you can't pour from an empty cup." If I'm not feeling well, how can I expect to get anything done or enjoy conversations with other people? Writing this list down helped me feel less overwhelmed by everything I've been trying to fit in the past few weeks.
Especially with job searching for online writing opportunities (I strongly suggest you spend no more than an hour at a time researching. I made the mistake last week of going overboard and ended up completely overwhelmed and ready to give up altogether!). Speaking of which, I created some new freelance mental health and wellness blogging and marketing services through Upwork if anyone's interested!
Links:
Warmest wishes for a peaceful and enjoyable holiday season~
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