Last week, I had myself in a tizzy over my to-do list. I was feeling overwhelmed with the holidays, kids' sports activities, performing in my business, and trying to find time to workout each day, and the list goes on and on. Do you do that sometimes as well? I decided to give myself a time-out with some oils and a good cup of coffee. Once I calmed down, I realized that most of the overwhelm I felt was all PERCEIVED. Meaning, I was the only one putting this pressure and overwhelm on myself to get stuff done. And that a lot of my to-do list could be eliminated or simplified, or I just needed to ask for support in a few areas. I find that women tend to do this a lot. We have this imaginary standard we hold ourselves to, and those standards add a lot of stress in our lives that isn't necessary. And that there is often a lot on our to-do list that doesn't have to be done by us; we just take it on and think we do. This time of year, it's usually something like this: ☃️ Christmas cards are getting sent out 🎄 The house is decorated just right 🥧 The perfect meal or meals for the holiday 🎁 Presents bought and wrapped 🍪 The Christmas cookies are decorated just right All while juggling the kids, our business and work, and the house. After I calmed myself down, this is what I did. I hope these three tips help you to let go of some of that stress you may have this time of year so that you can focus on YOU and be present and peaceful as we head into the last part of 2023.
1. I wrote everything I "needed" to do in a journal
I included items in my business, our home, and just life. I put on the list everything that I could think of. Not just items for that day but anything that popped into my mind. Especially what I thought had to be done this month and before the holidays.
I love this activity and do it often because it gets it all out in one giant brain dump. I find when we pause long enough to do this, the list just pours out of us, and it brings awareness to what is truly weighing us down. With awareness, it is much easier to take action to create change.
2. Eliminated and Reevaluated My List
I went through everything on that list and analyzed and reevaluated it. I asked myself these questions: - Do I really need to do this, or do I think I need to do this? - Does this give me joy to do this? - Is there a way to simplify this activity in any way? This part of the process helps us identify what is important and what maybe isn't. Is sending those Christmas cards really bringing you JOY, or is it something to check off your list? If it does bring you JOY, keep it. If not, let it go!
3. I asked for support from my spouse and family
Are you asking for help or support from your support system?
This might be a spouse, partner, significant other, family member, neighbor, or the other tiny humans in your house. I often see women exhausted and overwhelmed because we aren't asking other members of the house to contribute, and we are operating in the zone of a 1950s housewife. Come on, ladies, we have evolved, and it's okay to ask for help.
Try not to wait until you are exhausted and depleted to do it. Do it from love and invite that support in!
If you are still reading this, I hope that these tips help you and that by doing this little exercise, you can bring a little more peace to your December or anytime you are feeling a bit frazzled by life.
Want more tips like this? Make sure to sign up for my FIVE MORNING RITUALS guide on how to begin your day in peace. It's linked below ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Cheers to living wild and abundant in your body + business, + life.
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