“If we don’t feel grateful with what we already have, what makes us think we will be happy with more?”
I was particularly happy with how this shoot turned out, Erin Wyness photography really captured some amazing looks. Shop this outfit by clicking the links below…
There are many things that can detract from the true meaning of Thanksgiving, Christmas and many other Holidays, so how do we help ourselves from becoming too overwhelmed & stressed which can lead to feeling exhausted, shutting down and not being able to function and very often to even more stress?
While I certainly don’t believe I am so enlightened that I have everything figured out, after years of not really enjoying the holidays because I wanted it to look perfect, I have figured out a few things that have helped me along the way. These may or may not apply or work for you, but even if you can take one thing and that helps make your holidays a more enjoyable experience, it’s got to be worth it, right?! I know I would have had a hard time listening if someone else told me what does and doesn’t work and how I was allowing my perfection issues to ruin my holidays, I am pretty sure I would have shelved it or even worse, thought “they don’t know me” or “I don’t do that”…As I have become more mature (not just older), I have realized that perhaps (and yes you can quote me on this) I actually do need help sometimes and I am learning how to ask
- Don’t set unrealistic expectations. I have been known to bite off more than I can chew, perhaps making 5 sides dishes, 3 varieties of pies, etc., etc…when in reality, most of it ends up getting wasted and I would feel frustrated that my hard work wasn’t appreciated because nobody ate all the food. I know, I know, crazy self-defeating behavior, but nevertheless, this was the way I did things.
- Delegate – there is no way you can handle everything. I have made meals where I have done everything and just like in Tip #1, it’s biting off more than I could chew. Now, I ask people to help me because what I have realized is that most people are willing to do it…it appears, and I’m not sure why, everyone was too afraid to ask before – LOL!
- Set your menu in advance, prepare things that can be done before the day as much as possible, so that you are not spending all day slaving over a stove and missing out on spending time with friends or family.
- This was a huge one for me – don’t worry about the dishes, they can wait until the morning. If you’ve spent all day cooking, pause for a little while just to eat, only immediately to jump into cleaning dishes, you are going to miss out on even more. I had a hard time with this one because I like to see my kitchen clean all the time, and it can cause frustration when it’s not. I am still working on focusing on not letting the clutter get to me, so if you have a hard time with this one too…I feel ya!
- One of the ways I like to show love is by service and that includes cooking for my family. What I have realized is that even though I am doing something for them, it really doesn’t focus on THEM but rather ME…so I constantly work on having my boys help me or at least spend time with me in the kitchen while I’m cooking – that way, I can enjoy their company and still get done what I need and want to.
Thanksgiving is not just a time for Turkey and pies, it is also a time for contemplation, gratitude and family. Every day of the year I force all my boys to hug me – it always seems to give me a little more energy to get through the day. So whether we are at home, in Midway or on vacation somewhere else, I like to use that time to get in more snuggles and love time. It can also mean that there are more disagreements because all my family has strong personalities, so it is also a great lesson in patience for me. The goal this Holiday season is to be better about how I react to stress, family disagreements, getting under each other’s feet and getting on each other’s nerves by remembering what I love and appreciate about everyone.
Here goes!….
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