At times, it can be difficult to notice when we have officially gone around the bend. These 7 signs might help:
1. You recently put every holiday decoration into a large garbage bag, loaded it into your car and threw it by the side of the highway as you sped off into the night. Oh wait, that was just the fantasy that played over and over in your head as you trimmed the tree singing Christmas carols.
2. You’ve started drinking eggnog for breakfast, lunch and dinner. What’s the big deal? It’s protein.
3. Your brain is so fried that when your husband asked you to help him with gift ideas for his Assistant, you felt as though he had asked you to figure out the circumference of the moon in under 30 seconds with just an abacus as your tool.
4. Each and every time you get out of your car, your handbag strap gets hooked on the handle of your car which pulls it off your shoulder, spilling all the contents of the bag onto the ground. You then trip over the bag as you try to lean over and pick up the contents. You then spill your coffee and hit your head. EACH AND EVERY TIME.
5. When your child remembers to tell you that she signed you up to make a holiday treat for her entire class of 32 tomorrow, your eyes well up with tears. And by the time you are up to your elbow in flour and eggs, you are into a full blown cry. And that’s the best part of your week.
6. When your husband asks you what he can do to help, you look at him blankly causing him to ask you if you are “alright” while he mixes you a strong martini. You ask for an eggnog instead.
7. You wake up in the middle of the night soaked in sweat after your annual “holiday nightmare.” That’s the one in which you get so stressed out during the holidays that you are not able to enjoy them at all. Thankfully, you always have that dream in time to catch yourself before it really comes true.
Coach Me Quick Tips for NOT losing it:
1. Identify the one thing that is the least enjoyable each year, and change it.
Don’t like to cook turkey? Buy one that is pre-cooked. Get overwhelmed with gifts? Do a Secret Santa gift exchange with your family so you only have to buy for 1 person. Don’t like to create and send holiday cards each year? Give yourself a break for once – or forever.
2. Do more of what you enjoy.
Like parties? Attend them all. Enjoy having a beautiful tree? Buy it before Thanksgiving to get more time with it.
3. Start early or very late.
I find the most relaxed women I meet are the ones that start planning for the holidays in August – or December 23rd.
4. Create a self-care Advent calendar.
Each day you do one small thing for you.
5. Remember that even though it may not seem like it, you do have choices.
Be sure you are making the choices that work for you.
Luxuriating in my Advent Calendar in L.A.,
Jamee
Photo credit: K. Latham via Compfight
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