And so, it begins….
For my children and myself, the holiday season seems to begin with Halloween (we enjoy any reason for festivities and fun), but with Thanksgiving here in the United States this week, the holiday season will “officially” begin.
As I wrote these words, I began to feel a slight sense of panic, and stress, thinking of all that might be required of me in the next few weeks.
Did my words also cause you to feel overwhelmed?
It’s easy to get caught up feeling hurried and tired, weighed down with responsibilities. With to-do lists growing, what is intended to be a time of joy begins to feel more like a burden.
It needn’t be this way!
There is one simple solution to feeling overwhelmed.
* Keep it simple!
We often hear this refrain, but how often do we act on it?
Two questions to ask yourself to help you determine how successful you are in keeping things simple.
- What is the purpose of this event or activity?
- Is what I’m doing or planning, bringing me closer to the desired end result?
For example:
– Is the purpose to eat until we’re stuffed and feeling bloated and ill, or
is the purpose to share gratitude with loved ones and enjoy a memorable meal together? (A memorable meal can be simple and delicious).
– Is the purpose to keep ourselves and our children frantically busy or
is the purpose to strengthen and deepen meaningful relationships?
– Is there a way to simplify what you are doing so the essence is there and the unnecessary can fade away?
You might come up with your own questions to help you determine ways to simplify and focus on the purpose.
As I am making Thanksgiving plans for my family and also thinking ahead to Christmas, my motto for this week and the next month is:
Remember the purpose and keep it simple.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
Best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving for you and your loved ones.
Much love,
