3 Ways to Slow Down This Christmas Season
Raise your hand if you feel like the last month of the year rushes by SO QUICKLY and you can barely catch your breath.
BOTH of my hands are in the air, because yikes. With Christmas finally happening, trying to wind down the year of business AND plan for the new year to come... oh right, and the SHORTEST days of year (sun, come back soon please), the days rush by without too much of a break.
I’ve learned that it’s so important to be intentional in slowing down in this season, both to have some sense of sanity as well as appreciate the joy that this time can bring.
Without further ado, here are 3 ways that you can slow down and enjoy this Christmas Season.
Make Weekly Traditions to Celebrate the Holiday
One thing that I’ve been a major culprit of is rushing through the season without doing anything to truly celebrate the holiday. I get to the end of December and feel regret about not truly celebrating this exciting time. To avoid this, I’ve tried to start making weekly traditions around Christmastime to have some fun and take a step away from the dreariness that can happen in doing the same thing every single day. Whether that’s driving to see Christmas lights, going ice skating, or just taking a walk with some hot chocolate, change up your routine and take advantage of the awesome activities that only happen once a year!
Use Your Extra Time to Do Things You Love
I have really struggled to not sit on my phone once the sun sets (like, at 4:30) until I go to bed every night. It takes minimal effort, and days just feel more exhausting during the winter time. If you are also having a hard time with this, intentionally invest, whether with time or money, in activities that give you life. I purchased a book subscription for this winter so I can literally read ANYTHING when I get bored/tired. For you, it may be doing some crafts, trying out a new hobby, or even calling up your friends for a good chat. The main thing to focus on is being intentional with your time and not falling into the ease of scrolling your night away.
Schedule Time For Intentional Rest and Intentional Planning
Not sure if you are noticing the pattern, but the main idea behind each of these tips is being intentional. The new year ALWAYS sneaks up on me, and I often am rushing at the last minute to try to plan out my goals for the next year. If you have a hard time with this as well, what has truly helped me is scheduling time for REST and time for PLANNING. True, productive planning can’t happen without being well-rested and having a fresh mind. With this season being extra tiring, it’s important to give yourself at least 1 day a week to rest and take a step back from the chaos in your life. Once you start this habit, you’ll start to see that you have more energy to plan AND a better, more clear perspective on your life overall.
People, don’t let the holidays cast a dark shadow over your life. BE INTENTIONAL about your time and know that THERE IS CHRISTMAS JOY TO BE FOUND (cheesy, but so true).