In the last newsletter we wrote about getting back into routines. This month, as I think ahead to the Holiday season, I am going to ask you to consider breaking from routines or traditions. Don’t get me wrong, if you have traditions that you truly enjoy, please stick to them.
What I want you to ask yourself is are there any traditions you have that no longer serve you or others? For example, every year you take out bins and bins and boxes and boxes of decorations and you cover every square inch of your home with holiday décor because that’s what you’ve always done. It takes days and it’s exhausting.
Are you doing it for yourself because you truly love to or are you doing it to win the approval of others? Are you doing it because you have always done it and that’s what friends and family “expect”? What would happen if you didn’t do it or if you scaled back? Would your loved ones be disappointed or would they, just perhaps, have a wonderful time anyway? Maybe you would you feel a sense of relief because you don’t have to do all that work.
Is there anything you have always wanted to do over the Holidays that you never have? I have always wanted to take a trip after Christmas. It so happens I will be going on a one-week trip to a sunny destination in February, so that didn’t make sense. However, because life is short and I’m in the mode of not missing out on things I’ve always wanted to do, I have booked a 3-day getaway with friends from December 27th to 29th. It seems like the perfect opportunity to relax for a few days and come back ready to roll for New Year’s Eve.
Speaking of New Year’s Eve, are you always the one who hosts a party over the Holiday season? What if you didn’t do that this year and instead suggested that everyone get together and go out for an evening. Are you always the one who has everyone staying with you? Now that’s a lot of work. What if you “suggested” that you would like a break this year? I know, that would take some nerve!
The added benefit of cutting back on decorating and hosting is that you can possibly let go of some “stuff” and that always feels good, especially as we head into the season of giving and receiving. Or does giving and receiving necessarily mean “stuff”? Something to think about.
I’d be interested in hearing what you might do differently this year. Let me know.