Here we are, in the time of family visits, gifting, caroling, decorating, and lights. It’s a fun, busy, chaotic time of year! So I wanted to check in with you all: How are you doing? There seem to be so many reasons for joy and celebration, yet many are not finding that reality at all. Some people are remembering past losses and tragedies that occurred at this time of year, some are stressed out and overwhelmed. Not everyone is having a good time. Some of us are just holding our breath until it’s over! What about you?

 

Let me share a little about what I’m doing at this time of the year. This time is what I refer to in our family as “high season”. Starting with Halloween and the costumes, we follow that by an anniversary, hubby’s birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, then all four kid’s birthdays in the 30 days after Christmas. Whew! I try hard to be organized and order, shop and plan in advance, but it’s a hustle and I can’t say I always do it gracefully. This year, I’m also finishing my integrative nutrition school program, and there are a lot of shifts happening at work, much of which I am involved in because I now lead my group. This doesn’t include the ADLs (Activities of Daily Living – kids, church, work, cleaning, cooking, etc). Did I mention we also have family in town and I only took two days off work? Honestly, some days I just want to hide. In a hut. Far, far away.

 

So here are some of the things I’ve been doing this week:

Kids’ cleaning jobs, meaning MY cleaning jobs. They’re learning…

Crafty gifts for coworkers

Coats for Christmas coat drive – big ol’ mess in my hall…

So what do we do? Here’s my problem: I can’t seem to figure out what to eliminate. I know that there are 24 hours in a day, and if I load them up with too much, I will be strung out like a violin string. They snap, you know. That’s not the goal here, right? But I have all these great ideas and projects and responsibilities and I often can’t figure out what to eliminate to make my schedule more sane. Gotta go to work, have to do school to graduate, kids need to be fed and watered, the Christmas and birthday gifts won’t buy themselves you know. Besides, I bought all the supplies for that cute gifting project, I need to exercise so I don’t blow up with the holiday eating (don’t I?), and I have these pesky ethical considerations about the food for Christmas dinner, so…

 

It’s madness, really. I make it hard on myself. So when I found myself praying in a puddle on my closet floor this week, I knew my balance was completely off. There are lots of things that are required, but sometimes, some things are optional, even if they don’t feel like it. I had to make some quick changes and give up some stuff. I had to remind myself of this: if I “do it all”, and my attitude sucks because I’m anxious and sleep deprived and miserable, that’s what my family and I will remember; how hard and stress filled the holidays are, and how it’s a time just to get through. That’s not the memory I want, or want to give to my kids. So, what do I really want? Answering that helps me make those hard choices about what to keep and what to cut.

 

Making granola for family breakfasts

This may sound a little woo-woo, but I’m setting an intention. My intention is to create a welcoming and warm environment in my home and between my family members. That’s more important than getting every detail right. So, I have to make what I do manageable for me. Then I can give myself to them, not just gifts and activities. Someone told me a long time ago that mama sets the tone of the home. Remember “If mama’s not happy, nobody’s happy”? Well, like it or not, I’ve found it to be true. And no one can pour from an empty reservoir. You may have different ones than I’m making, but here are my cuts…

 

No Work

The afternoon I was supposed to start my two-day break from work, I was sitting at my computer fighting through the February schedule for the thirteen healthcare providers I supervise. A bunch of changes came out and I was tempted to leave my work phone on in case someone needed me to make more changes as the week unfolded. Then I thought about that.  I made the December schedule to accommodate EVERYONE’s vacation requests, including several who will be off all next week. I am working next week. So, I finished the schedule, sent it out, and let all who may care know that I’ll be back on Monday (the office holiday – I’ll be on call). I’m practicing setting my boundaries. Phone off.

 

 

Daily Exercise

So, yes, exercise can help keep you balanced and more even-keeled during times of stress. I highly recommend it to you all. BUT, in my case, sometimes an extra 30 minutes of sleep is the more critical need. I’m not saying I quit exercising, just maybe not every day. And I’m definitely looking to do restorative yoga, or qi gong – I ask my body what it needs that day and give it that. The heart pounding exercise hasn’t been on the list. Not this week.

 

No dishes for Christmas.

I just can’t. I mean, I’m all environmental and green and stuff, but if I’ve got to do all the cooking and clean all the dishes, I’ll probably go postal. The thought of a properly set table with china, silver, and all the Pinterest inspired crafty centerpieces is so pretty and ideal, but the thought of having to make all that happen makes my blood pressure go up. I suppose enlisting the family to do the dishes is an option, but I’m a little uptight about the state of my kitchen and I can’t seem to stay out of it when it’s a mess. I bought cute matching paper plates and napkins. I’ll put them on shiny red chargers. Pinterest fans, it’ll be fine, really and truly. Me washing the dinner dishes? Out.

 

 

The Completely Organic Christmas Dinner

I tried y’all, I really did. And I feel like a big ol’ hypocrite, but they wanted that commercial ham with the crunchy sugar glaze, and despite my ethical objections and desire for a responsibly raised piece of pork, I caved. It was too easy and the alternative too hard this year. I did buy an organic turkey and will do all the sides from scratch, but the ham got me. I’ve got a lead on a local pig farm for next year though…

 

Christmas cards

Not happening. Every year, I feel a twinge when my family and friends send me these beautiful family Christmas cards. I feel it when someone at church hands me their card too. I always think, “You know, I should save these return addresses and make a list so that next year I can give our family Christmas card to everyone too!” But really, no. Maybe in a few years…

 

Christmas cookies

Ok, I’m still trying to decide on this one. I have a gluten-free sugar cookie recipe that I want to try to make with the kids, so they can make star-shaped cookies for Santa. (GF because the 3-year-old’s eczema has been on fire and I’m trying a GF diet for her – I have to DO something!). But if Saturday is crazy, it may become a grab-the-slice-and-bake-at-the-grocery-store. Gotta know when to pull the ripcord!

 

The family hearth, complete with a welcoming fire. Ahhh, the vibe I want!

 

How do you grab onto the joy and good of the holidays and limit the chaos? Where do you make your cuts? Share in the comments section below!