Tis’ the season

With Christmas and New Year festivities fast approaching it is easy to get caught up in the time poor feeling this season brings. Hey, it’s a busy time of year with social events, kids finishing school, project deadlines, the list goes on and can more often than not feel completely overwhelming! 

Watching the world around me at this point in the year often leaves me pondering how we get so caught up in the manic energy that the end of the year brings…..is it the need to be everything to everyone or provide the perfect experience for our family or is it just that there are so many people with the same feelings that we just get swept up in a collective energy? 

This time of year for me always starts with the best of intentions, lists are made, a general blue print for Christmas Day is laid down and any necessary house projects are identified, it sounds so organised and strategic doesn’t it? Well, this strategic layout very quickly becomes a case of ‘best laid plans’ and I usually slide into Christmas Day frazzled and absolutely exhausted (not that anyone around me would know this is where I’m at). 

So, what contributes to this overwhelm? Is it that the shops are so perfectly and beautifully decorated and you want the same festive feeling in your own home or does our continual access to social media lend to creating unrealistic expectations on how ‘magical’ our Christmas celebrations should be or is it just something your family has always done and the expectation is there year in year out?

What ever it is that drives you to turn your self inside out this time of year does the end product necessitate your exhaustion and sacrifice? If the answer is yes, then more power to you! However, if reflecting on this time of year brings you to a place of overwhelm and tiredness then maybe it’s time take a moment and stop for a few minutes to consider what this season really means to you…..

Is the festive season about connecting with family & friends or, experiencing the magic of Christmas through your child’s eyes, or spending time in quiet contemplation appreciating the small blessings of your life or giving back to the community or helping those in need or is it just the luxury of getting some time away from work to regroup and relax? 

Maybe our Christmas could be less about the fanfare and more about small rituals (like croissants with jam & cream on Christmas morning) 😁, quiet moments of appreciating the freedoms we have, giving our undistracted attention to our children and partners, donating to those less fortunate, shopping at small businesses and showing support for our local community…..

Regardless of what this time of year brings for you, be clear in deciding what does and doesn’t work for you and strong enough to make small changes if needed.  After all, the weeks ahead should be full of moments that make your heart sing & refresh your soul 💕 

Wishing you all much love and calm over Christmas and the New Year. 

Jodi xox