December is Decembering!
| She said, “December is Decembering.” Yesterday I was talking with a friend. We started the call with the usual pleasantries, and I was not expecting her answer! I asked her how the week was going for her. She said, “Well, December is Decembering!” It sounded like she then rolled her eyes. I laughed out loud. I have been giggling to myself ever since thinking about this. No matter what you celebrate or don’t celebrate, if you travel or not, December can feel like a whirlwind. It breaks us out of our routines and shakes things up. Even if you decide to have a calm, easy month, people around you are buzzing with the frenzy. That energy is hard to avoid. So today, instead of sharing a story from my week, I’m going to share with you my top 5 ways to survive December with some joy, laughter, and peace of mind. |
| December Golden Nuggets: 1. Maintain some routines. With school breaks, offices closed, holiday parties, travel, and visits with loved ones, our routines get lost in the shuffle. Pick one or two routines you can maintain every day of the month. They can be modified or adjusted, but they stay in place. For example, if bedtime is later than usual, make sure you still brush your teeth and list the three good things about your day. 2. Step back and look at the big picture. Before you head to the party or set out for the adventure, make a plan. Think about what will really serve you best given the day you had yesterday and what is upcoming tomorrow. Once you are out, it can be easy to be swept up in the energy and forget your priorities. If you step back and look at the big picture, you set boundaries that will help today, tomorrow, and the next day feel good! Will you necessarily stick to the boundary? Nope, but you probably won’t go as off the rails as you would if you did not think about it to begin with. 3. No is a complete sentence. There is sooooooo much to do in December. Sometimes you want to do it all, great, go do it! Sometimes we don’t and are not sure we can say no. Yes, you can! Actually, you need to say no to some things so you don’t end up exhausted and cranky by the 20th. If you want to share why you are declining, go right ahead. Keep in mind, it is not required. No is a complete sentence, and you don’t have to justify the decisions that are right for you. 4. Take Breaks. Breaks are so important. You can take a break when at a holiday party by going to the bathroom or stepping outside for some fresh air. Several hours can feel like a long time in some environments. Take breaks when you are spending multiple days with extended family. An hour or two away can be a game-changer, even if it feels new to create this space. Go for a walk, or say you want some quiet time to read or puzzle alone. If you have children, it can be powerful to carve out some 1:1 time with them during big family gatherings, and teaching them to ask for it can stop some meltdowns before they start. 5. Create Regular Check-ins. Check in with yourself – how are you feeling, and what do you need? Check in with your immediate family – be that your partner or young children. How are you doing as a unit, and what do you need to keep things running smoothly? Also, check in with the larger group if you are with extended loved ones. What are people expecting from the day and from each other? Communicating needs, dreams, hopes, and wishes ahead of time can go such a long way toward maintaining harmony! |
| One step at a time December can come with lots of high highs and low lows. There are so many feelings that come up in this month. The about five nuggets may help you stay joyful, grateful, and kind. Though I also want to remind you to keep an eye on your mental health indicators. With the shifts that come in December, it’s easy to forget how impactful a glass of water is for our mental health. If things are feeling crunchy, ask yourself: How is my sleep? Have I eaten real, whole foods today? Veggies are often in short supply at holiday parties. Could I use more water? When was the last time I stood in sunshine? Have I been out of the house today and breathed fresh air? What movement did I do today? Rest, real food, water, fresh air, sunshine, and exercise have a big impact on our mental health. Noticing the shift in your diet may help you understand why you are feeling so irritable (some call it hangry). Once you notice, take just one small step to make a change. You don’t have to do everything at once. Just stand outside for 2 minutes to breathe some fresh air, or do 10 jumping jacks, or sit by the window and let the sunshine warm your face. Yes, I intentionally used ‘or’ between each of those because you don’t have to do all of them to feel better…just one small step goes further than you think. December can be a wonderful, magical month. I hope these golden nuggets and reminders help enhance all your Decembering! |
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