While Hallmark movies are full of stories of a winter wonderland, there’s also a not-so-glistening gleam under many of the winter stereotypes: holiday stress, winter “blues” and illness season.
To that we offer a quick guide to surviving some of the biggest winter wears, tears and worries.
Step One: Stay Organized
Whether you are throwing the office holiday party, or just attending multiple events, the season between Thanksgiving and the New Year is often one of the busiest, particularly for working folks and those with families.
It’s a mixed bag.
(Having nothing to do during the holidays can also seem lonely; but all those commitments can make you feel like you need to be committed.)
Don’t lose your mind this winter: stay organized:
● Keep a list - If you are high-tech and use an app, or just a paper and pen, write down the details and you aren’t forced to remember them all. Keep a written schedule, even planning your time to rest and reflect and make the next day’s schedule!
● Stay on your routine - Dietary changes, fewer daylight hours, less outdoor time and less sleep can all add up to a feeling of frenzy. Do your best to stay on your healthy routine, year round (but see step 2 below).
● Keep work organized - Keeping the little things organized, such as with our acrylic desk accessories, can help you stay on top of details, even in busy times.
● Share the load - Delegate, ask for help, and deputize family members such as spouse and children, so that you take some of the work off of your plate, can help everyone contribute and you get more done.
You might be surprised how much you can really fit in, when you stay organized.
Step Two: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
You burn the sweet potato casserole. You ate your child’s leftover Halloween candy in a late-night craze. You forgot to get your lovely coworker a gift, though she always gets one for you.
It’s the small stuff that can be killer during the holiday season.
To that we offer the wisdom of grandmothers everywhere: if it doesn’t matter in 10 years, it doesn’t matter now.
Wise poet Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you’ve said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget the way you made them feel.”
Yes, you could argue that the things that you say and do add up to how they feel...but that is a little bit beside the point.
The point is: not everything has to be magical and perfect to be wonderful.
What you eat, what you did or did not get done, whether or not the perfect present was a part of the holiday gift exchange...it really won’t matter.
So take care of the big stuff, like:
● Making people feel welcome
● Resting if you need it (such as if you get ill--don’t go to work and spread that around!)
● Expressing gratitude
If in your attempts to stay organized, a few things fall through the cracks...let them fall.
Step Three: Stay Inspired
What inspires you?
Do you keep plants in your office to bring in some life?
Is there a pet or a person waiting for you at the end of the day?
Are you counting the hours until you go back to that great book?
Whatever inspires you, keep it going in the winter months. Bring in that glass plant terrarium, adopt a kitten, read a “beach read” by candlelight, even though it is winter, whatever makes you find a few extra deep breaths and smiles.
When you surround yourself with life and joy, it’s bound to rub off a little.
Share some of your inspiration in the comments below!