Oh, the holidays…it’s a festive time of year! I love the holiday’s but I’ve noticed over the last few years that I can tend to feel some stress and overwhelm during them too. How about you? Do you love the holidays and at the same time dread the holidays? Have you noticed that it’s easy to overspend on things you don’t really need… or things other people don’t really need? I have always put so much pressure on myself to make every holiday an extravaganza! I felt it was my way of showing everyone in my life how much I appreciate them. I would tell myself that I could handle doing it all for six short weeks, no problem! It was just six weeks out of fifty two…how hard could that be? Well, I’ll tell you, it’s pretty friggin hard and exhausting!
I realized the toll it took on my emotional and physical well being just wasn’t worth it. I am a busy entrepreneur, mom, wife, daughter, sister, ect., ect. ect., AND a human being…a mere mortal, not a robot. Something had to give! It is in a woman’s divine feminine nature to want to please everybody. Most women spend an average of $700-$1,000 on presents each Holiday Season.
How many times will you run to the mall searching for the perfect gifts for everyone? This type of harried, rush-rush behavior will cause you to become out of balance, stressed and overwhelmed. I recommend shortening your “to-do” list and “to buy” list and discover ways to live a more “back to basics” lifestyle. It will allow you to spend time with your loved ones without the stress and financial burdens. Isn’t that what the holidays are about? I’ve put together a list on how to avoid over committing yourself emotionally, physically and financially. Winter brings the darkest, shortest and coldest days of the year. If you choose to follow the natural rhythm of nature you would notice that this season encourages you to hunker down more, spend more time with your loved ones, and give yourself the permission to relax and enjoy the magic of the season. Here are five tips on how to avoid overspending and overcompensating emotionally, physically and financially this year while still partaking in all of the merry-making going on around you!
- Set A Holiday Intention – The holidays can take on a life of it’s own if left unchecked. You can find yourself being thrown about like a rag-doll, running here and running there! How do you want this Holiday Season to look and feel? How do YOU want to feel? While you’re setting an intention, create a spending budget! This will help keep you from having spending regrets after the season has passed and your credit card bills begin to come in!
- Give Yourself The Permission To Relax & Enjoy – It’s not the gifts that make the season so memorable and special. It’s the things that don’t cost anything; romantic, beautifully scented lit candles, melodic music dancing in your ears, festively lit up and decorated homes everywhere you look, the wonderful aromas of home made food cooking in the oven and wafting through your home, the innate sweetness of your children, the boisterous laughter that talking about funny memories past usually conjures up or gathering with your loved ones and the overflowing feeling of gratitude that envelops you like a warm blanket.
- Don’t Overcompensate By Making Too Many Purchases – Does anyone really need another sweater? Think quality rather than quantity. Choose the people you want to give gifts to with care and intention. I make many of the gifts I to give to my peeps. I have been told year after year that it’s their favorite gift. Take a look at some of my home made gift giving ideas here. I promise, they’ll be the hit of the season because they are infused with Vitamin L (that’s Vitamin LOVE)! Vanilla Extract and Hops Dream Pillow.
- Look Outside The Box – Have you ever noticed how the holidays can feel lonely even in the midst of so much activity? Instead of isolating yourself and running yourself ragged. I recommend you step out of your comfort zone; grab a group of friends and go caroling around your neighborhood, bake some Slim & Sexy cookies for a neighbor, play some soft, romantic music…pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine…and slow dance with your partner (wink, wink), or get a group together and go sleigh riding or ice skating. If you live near New York, go see the tree and all of the gorgeously decorated stores.
- (I saved the most important for last…) Put Yourself On The Calendar – You can easily fall into overspending and overcompensating when you’re running on empty. Women need to take time to fill up..I use this saying often with my clients ” Only a FULL pitcher can pour water.” Put some of your “to-do’s” aside and put yourself on the calendar; attend a yoga class, prepare and sip on a cup of herbal tea , get off Facebook and read a good book. Be gentle, kind and forgiving with yourself. You’ll be able to give more to others if you’re taking good care of yourself.
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