Celebrate You: 5 Ways to Show Yourself Love During the Holiday Season
It’s almost the 25th. I have not done any shopping yet. None. Not even online. I’ve never been so unprepared before!
But even though I may not have any presents wrapped under the tree, I don’t feel any stress.
I haven’t let myself get too caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, baking, decorating, and attending parties. I did not intend to be Scrooge or anything, but the shopping part just hasn’t happened. Neither has putting out the decorations - the ones that I usually forget to put all away at the same time, and I find a random stray reindeer figure on a bookshelf in Late January. Not this year! I’ve made different choices for my mental well-being; it’s helped free up time for me to feel connected to my partner and my kids.
So here are five tips on how I’ve been practicing self-love during the holiday season (and it’s felt wonderful):
Take Time For Yourself – It can be easy to get overwhelmed with all that needs to be done during the holidays. I have been using The Essential Calendar to keep track of the events and special days where my attendance would be nice. But I’ve also picked up my meditation practice again, as well as making time to read a book before bedtime. I’ve prioritized sleep and felt so grounded and energized such that I‘ve enjoyed family activities, instead of feeling drained by them.
Set boundaries — It's important to be clear about your needs and limits, especially during a busy and potentially stressful time of year. In that vein, I’ve negotiated my attendance, and I’ve said “no” to attending events I’d rather not. WOW! It felt so good to be happy where I was and not pretending or putting up with whatever. For one of my “no’s,” I really, really didn’t want to go so it was easy to turn that down, but I’m still counting it as a self-love win. Recognize if you feel obligated to attend every social event or take on more tasks than you can handle. Ask: what is actually necessary?
Express Gratitude – Sure, I may not have the cookies made for my neighbors (that I will do yet), but that doesn't mean I can't express gratitude for all the amazing things in my life. Like my cozy bed with yummy linen sheets, my Netflix account, and the fact that I can eat french toast on a weekday morning for breakfast without anyone judging me. Now that's something to be thankful for! Got a list yourself? Quick! Think of three things you’re thankful for.
Connect With Nature – Go get some fresh air! For me, this has mostly been in between the house and the car and some place I’m going, but I do take a moment to breathe and notice the colors of my surroundings. Taking that moment really helps me feel grounded, connected, and relaxed. I do plan to go for a walk in my neighborhood park or take a drive to a nearby hiking trail with my kids, who are both home from school. Where’s your favorite outdoor spot?
Forgive yourself — This is a really important act of self-love, especially during the holiday season when we may be feeling extra pressure to be perfect. I’m human and make mistakes. By practicing self-forgiveness, I’m letting go of any guilt or self-judgment and instead focusing on self-compassion and self-acceptance. This can help us feel more at peace with ourselves and better able to enjoy the holiday season. Whether you didn’t get out the cards on time or really wanted to have more things done by now, try to extend some kindness and understanding to yourself. Remember that you are worthy of love and forgiveness, just as you love and forgive others.
The holidays can be hectic and overwhelming, but remember to take care of yourself first. After all, you deserve all the love and appreciation you give to others.
Wishing you a happy, peaceful, fulfilling holiday season filled with love for yourself and others!
xxoo,
Lanae
P.S. Doing last-minute shopping? Use my Holiday Gift Guide.
P.P.S. I’ve got some exciting announcements coming soon…so stay tuned!