Despite a lot of reflection and personal growth over the years, I still tend to get caught up in a whirlwind of wanting to do too much over the whole holiday season. It starts innocently in December with the lights displays at zoo and the botanic gardens, and extends into January with the kids’ winter break. All of our favorite seasonal movies to watch, gingerbread houses to build, the traditional cookies to bake! The awesome tour at Hammond’s Candy Factory! A drive downtown to see the City & County Building and the Chriskindl Market! It’s all a bit much, even though it’s so fun! At a certain point in the month, I just start crossing things off the “wish list.” Like Hammond’s. Then the photo book I wanted to make for my parents and my sister’s family. And most recently… cookies for the neighbors. At this point, my baking day will probably be 12/24, so… off the list! It would be nice, but at what cost to my sanity and my family (who bear the brunt of my bad behaviors when I’m stressed out)?
Something that’s giving me a little relief this year when my mind gets caught up in to-do-listing or feeling inadequate and guilty is this podcast episode from Kara Loewentheil on the concept of invoking, “This is the part where…” when you catch your brain going into a stressful story. For instance: “This is the part where I get snippy with my kids because I’ve overstuffed my schedule.” Or “This is the part where I just ship the package and it’s good enough.” Or, “This is the part where my expectations are too high and I feel blue for a little while.” Have a listen and see if it doesn’t help you get a little distance from the stress-creating yarns your brain is spinning!
What I’m reading: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood. So good! Read The Handmaid’s Tale first!
What my 10-year old is reading: The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger’s Apprentice Series #1) by John Flanagan.