This is the most stressful time of the year for most people. Do you get all wound up? What are you doing to take care of yourself while you are taking care of everyone else on your list?
Each year I get some type of monetary bonus from my job. I always reserve $100 for me to schedule a massage and/or reflexology for myself. I schedule it for a weeknight the week before Christmas so I have a break from all the baking, cooking, shopping and decorating. I don't tell anywhere what I am doing or where I am going - I tell my H and kids that I have an appt and that's all. They never know what I'm doing because H will try to make me feel like I'm being selfish and self indulgent (which I am, but I feel I deserve a little of that once a year), and my girls will complain because they didn't get to go! Anyway, that's the way in which I stop a moment and take care of me - right smack in the middle of doing everything else for everyone else!
I deliberately plan SIMPLE, LOL! :D I cook simple meals that can be put in the oven and get me out of the kitchen, to enjoy our company. We budget and don't overextend on gift giving, either. Fortunately, I have a family and extended family that doesn't equate the holidays with loads of gifts, lots of overly fancy decor or cooking, LOL! Our focus is spending time with each other, not with what we got or gave as gifts, or how many hours of labor was spent over a meal. ;))
I make sure I get plenty of rest/sleep. I do my t'ai chi. I buy gifts mostly online and avoid crowds. I go for walks with my Mika dog.
On the norm...I don't allow much stress to creep in. DH and our dd's have a much different approach to the "drama" zone (ROTFL) however, I am usually pretty calm and collected. Here recently we have had some crazy things going on within dh's fam. & lemme just say...I really don't care for stress! (LOL)
I have been meditating like crazy, and I have cleansed every crystal in the house because I just KNOW i'm maxing them out! LOL!
I supposed there will be a lot of candle lighting and bubble bathing in my near future (wink wink) maybe even a massage...or ten :D
Last night my GF and I had our annual shopping blitz - this year it was so laid back, because I made a list and stuck with it, I didn't overspend and I didn't do any impulse buying. And we took a break midway for a salad and a glass of wine. We didn't leave the mall till midnight, but we were laughing and having fun, despite the wicked ice storm here!
Trying to get through this last week without too much stress. I have some last minute shopping and baking to do and take the kids on our yearly trip around town to see all the homes decorated with lights. We are a bit behind on our to do list this year.
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I deliberately plan SIMPLE, LOL! :D I cook simple meals that can be put in the oven and get me out of the kitchen, to enjoy our company. We budget and don't overextend on gift giving, either. Fortunately, I have a family and extended family that doesn't equate the holidays with loads of gifts, lots of overly fancy decor or cooking, LOL! Our focus is spending time with each other, not with what we got or gave as gifts, or how many hours of labor was spent over a meal. ;))
I make sure I get plenty of rest/sleep. I do my t'ai chi. I buy gifts mostly online and avoid crowds. I go for walks with my Mika dog.
Gypsy
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
LOL...I'm taking notes!
V :)
On the norm...I don't allow much stress to creep in. DH and our dd's have a much different approach to the "drama" zone (ROTFL) however, I am usually pretty calm and collected.
Here recently we have had some crazy things going on within dh's fam. & lemme just say...I really don't care for stress! (LOL)
I have been meditating like crazy, and I have cleansed every crystal in the house because I just KNOW i'm maxing them out! LOL!
I supposed there will be a lot of candle lighting and bubble bathing in my near future (wink wink) maybe even a massage...or ten :D
V :)
I drink!
So many great ideas!
Anyone ever been to the Azores?
No, but my best friend almost moved there last year and said it's fabulous!
Trying to get through this last week without too much stress. I have some last minute shopping and baking to do and take the kids on our yearly trip around town to see all the homes decorated with lights. We are a bit behind on our to do list this year.
Hoping things come together before the big day.
*Star*
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