Questions for WEEK 4

Here are 3+ questions to support you with doing something special for yourself

1.  What's something special that you can do for yourself today?  What makes this activity special for you?

2.  Do you consider your desire for rest, or conversely, fun  as important?

3.  In the past, what kept you from doing something special for yourself?  How will you now override those thoughts?

This is the final week in our series on reducing holiday overwhelm. I hope that this series has been helpful for you.  If you have suggestions or questions on this series, feel free to post a comment below.

A Happy Thanksgiving to those in the US! 

WEEK 4 DO SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOURSELF

Do something special: Pay attention to your need for rest or, conversely, excitement. Sleep in, if you wish, or buy yourself tickets to a show that you've been wanting to see.

The saying "'Tis better to give than to receive" can cause one to be burned out and resentful if taken to the extreme.  That won't happen to you if you implement this week's strategy.  If you need to create time for yourself, review Week 1 and see what you can decline or delegate.  Enjoy this week's strategy and continue to do something special for yourself throughout the year! 

Are you a coach looking for a supportive community to help you boost your self care?  Join my new Meetup group Self Care for Life Coaches.

Questions for WEEK 3

Here are 3+ questions to support you with focusing on what you want:
1.  How do you want to feel during the holidays?

2.  If you're attending or hosting a holiday dinner, what do you want to experience there?

3.  How do you want to feel today?  What are 3 thoughts that can support you with that feeling?

WEEK 3 FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT

Focus on what you want: Whether it's a fashionable coat, toned triceps or an enjoyable family get-together. Begin to shift your thoughts from what you don't want to what you do want. 

You've likely had the experience of attending or hosting a holiday dinner and having a sense of dread about something going wrong.  An undesired comment from a family member, a new recipe gone wrong, a holiday 'fit that flops.  This week the strategy is to focus on what you want to happen.  Imagine having an enjoyable conversation with a family member.  Test out the new holiday recipe before experimenting for a holiday meal.  Wear a tried-and-true outfit or get feedback from a trusted friend about your holiday attire. 

Can this strategy guarantee that everything will turn out as planned?  No, however it can support you in getting the outcome that you want.  Anyway, it beats the dread that your worries are causing you.

Checking In

You're now mid-way through the series of post on THE HOLIDAYS.  What strategy has been the most effective for you so far?   How will the holidays be better this year?  Apply the strategy which can best support you for the holidays.  Schedule time to review these posts and to implement these strategies.  Above all else, take a deep breath and remember that the holidays are meant to be enjoyed!

Questions for WEEK 2

Here are 3 questions to help you with creating lists for the holidays:

1.  Is there a traditional holiday activity that you can create a list for, e.g., mailing holiday cards, hosting a holiday get-together, gift buying?

2.  Is there anything on your list that you can delegate?

3.  If you're feeling stressed, have you scheduled any calming activities for yourself on your list?

Next week, I'll offer an additional strategy for managing the holidays.

WEEK 2 MAKE A LIST

MAKE A LIST: Shopping lists, daily lists, packing lists...instead of further taxing your memory, create a list to keep track of your activities, commitments or shopping during the holidays.  How much should I elaborate on this?  Some people like lists, others don't.  If you find that you're forgetting tasks and feeling stressed with too much to do, unburden your mind by making a list.  There on paper you can have a clearer idea of what it is that you're doing and  you can also see the progress that you've made as you check off gifts purchased or actions completed.

Of course, if you're feeling overwhelmed just by looking at your list, then create a smaller list that feels less overwhelming.  Or simply draw a horizontal line between your morning and evening activities.  If you're still feeling stressed, refer to WEEK 1.  : )

Questions for WEEK 1

These questions are related to applying this week's strategy to your holiday activities:

1.  How would simplifying your activities make the holidays more enjoyable for you?

2.  What's one activity you can decline to do this holiday season?

3.  Are there any pressures or deadlines which are self-imposed?  Can you adjust these deadlines?

4.  What's one area of your home that you will declutter?  How will decluttering this space make your holidays more calm?

If you wish you can answer all of the questions or one which especially resonates with you.  Schedule time in your calendar or post a reminder to yourself to turn your responses into action.

THE HOLIDAYS: WEEK 1 SIMPLIFY - Decline, declutter, delegate

Divide each difficulty into as many parts as necessary to resolve it.

Rene Descartes

For November, we're focusing on decreasing overwhelm and increasing joy during the holidays.  Here's this week's strategy:

1. SIMPLIFY: Decline, declutter, delegate.
Decline activities/objects that drain your time, energy and money.  Prevent clutter from entering your home by not buying or accepting unnecessary items.  This may take some practice and grace.

Declutter by removing unneeded objects or tasks from your life.  Review your schedule to see if there are activities which can be dropped or tweaked.

Delegate by using technology to shop online, stay in touch, schedule activities, plan gatherings, etc.  Ask a friend or family member for help.  Delegate non-urgent activities to a future date in your calendar.

When in doubt, take a deep breath and see how you can make your life easier.

Tomorrow I'll post questions related to implementing this strategy.

5 Benefits of Reconnecting

To wrap up last month's series on reconnecting, here's my self-created non-scientific list of the benefits of reconnecting:
 
1.  Having more calm

2.  Making better decisions by setting aside time to connect to what you want

3.  More awareness and appreciation when eating

4.  Experiencing more joy and confidence by doing something that you enjoy

5.  Enhancing your relationships by reconnecting with friends and relatives

Hopefully, you'll be inspired to continue with one of last month's suggested methods of reconnecting.  For November, we'll focus on managing holiday overwhelm.  Every week, I'll post a strategy and some questions related to decreasing overwhelm and increasing calm during the holidays.