How to Stay Sane During the Holidays
Aloha, creative souls! So, I've been taking LOTS of breaks from the social media, as of late, especially since all of the hoopla surrounding the presidential election.
I mean, I had to. For my own sanity.
Did you hear? Someone actually called me the "c" word for mentioning my stance on racism (my stance, being that I will not tolerate it). *control-alt-delete* So, long sucka! That was the first time I've ever had to 'unfriend' a long-time friend on Facebook.
Anywaaaaays...
I also kind of had to take a break from all of the recent cyber sales over Thanksgiving Day weekend...oh my gosh, internet people (although, I do admit I have been guilty of this in the past). You know how in the old-school days, when you would walk out to your mailbox to check your mail, and when you opened it, ALL of the junk mail would just kind of spill out haphazardly into your hands?
Well, that's kind of what my email inbox was like, except it was my brain that was spilling haphazardly out of my ears. SO much information.
And then, all of the planning for the holidays. The shopping, the dinner parties, the travelling, the this, the that, andthe other thing.
So, I've been thinking...why do we do this to ourselves? It really doesn't have to be so busy, busy, busy. Really it doesn't.
If you're willing to play, I'd love to encourage you to, simply, simplify ONE area of your life that might need some breathing space. Remember, it's perfectly okay to gracefully say, "No" to the things that don't resonate with you anymore.
Honor down-time. Less is more. Quality over quantity.
Honor this season of slowing down, turning inward, reflecting, and just being.
(And, of course, I have to add this one to the mix):
Honor your creative spirit. Being creative is the best way to sloooooow down time. It's like time almost stops, when you get creative, doesn't it?
So, if you feel like your holiday nerves are getting to you, here are some of my fave ways to take that stress factor down a couple of notches:
1) My fave go-to: be like a hermit and do this ONE simple thing to calm the {bleep} down
2) Throw your camera phone out the window and learn some old-school camera hacks
3) Grab a bottle of wine, chill with your BFF's, and dream a little dream