A Very Mindful Holiday
I recently had to visit the Apple Genius Bar three times in one week.
If you have a MacBook, you understand what a devastating sentence that is. ‘
As I was trying to explain the (extremely) frustrating situation of having a six month old computer just randomly stop working to yet another tech while trying to not lose my cool completely, it dawned on me that this is why we practice mindfulness and meditation.
Not for when things are going well, but for when life inevitably gets a little messy.
This is also very relevant as we charge full steam ahead into the holiday season and all the wonderful, overwhelming, craziness that comes with it.
It is easy to feel chill and grounded and centered when things are going well.
But that is not real life.
What happens when something goes wrong? When your flight gets canceled? When your kids are throwing a tantrum in the middle of a store? When your family is driving you insane one day into your holiday trip?
None of us will ever be perfect. We will lash out at the people we love or be grumpy with the customer service rep, but the goal is to keep showing up and trying to be our best selves.
If you are wondering how to do that while trying to balance your busy and hectic life, keep reading for five tips on how to survive this holiday season and beyond with your sanity in check.
Don’t let all your routines go. While your days may be busier than usual, try not to let every routine you have go by the wayside. Stick with your regular healthy routines as best as you can. I suggest picking one healthy habit as a non-negotiable that you will stick to no matter what comes up throughout the next few weeks. It can help to ground you and release the holiday season free for all.
Say no. Guess what? You actually do not have to say yes to every single invitation. Figure out which things you really want to go to and only say yes to those - with the caveat that there might be a couple things that you do not want to attend but probably should. Having some empty space on your calendar is not a bad thing and will make whatever you choose to attend more meaningful.
Make time for what you enjoy. What are the one or two holiday traditions that you really enjoy? Maybe it is baking cookies with your mom or taking your kids to see Christmas lights or watching a special movie. Whatever it is, make sure that you are actually making time for it and keeping the traditions that matter to you.
Stay present. Instead of getting lost in all the commitments and to-do lists of the holiday season, try to be present with whatever you are doing and whoever you are with at that current moment. Too many of us miss precious moments with the people we love because we are distracted by what is to come. Slow down, get present, and enjoy what the season is all about.
Let go of perfection. Even if it might feel otherwise, the holidays are not a contest to see who can have the most beautiful pictures on social media. I know for me, and I bet for you too, the special and memorable moments usually involve spending time with friends and family doing simple things or having something go terribly wrong and laughing about it together. So let go of the need to go to all the latest and greatest events and take the best picture in perfectly coordinated outfits, and instead embrace the messiness that is real life.
