We’ve officially entered the most wonderful time of the year, which for many of us feels more like the craziest time of the year.
From stringing lights to wrapping gifts and mailing cards, there’s so much on our plates around the holidays it’s easy to get carried away and forget to make time for what matters most.
And I’m not talking about being present with family and friends and spreading good cheer. (Not today that is!)
I’m talking about making time for what matters most to your solo, spiritual and inner world.
What are you working towards in your business and life?
What daily or weekly practices make you feel good?
More than any other time of the year, in November and December many of us become distracted from goals and push aside things that matter most to our everyday lives.
“I was so good until last week!” My friend Jill said about a yoga routine she’s been doing since June and swears it’s not only helped her lose weight but sleep sounder and feel happier. “I’m not going to have time for yoga until January.”
“I think I’ll just wait until after the holidays to finish.” A client said about a project she’s been working on since May and is only two baby steps away from completing!
I see it in myself too.
With a book coming out next year I’ve been on a strict writing schedule.
I’ve followed Anne Lamott’s advice in her incredible book Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life and sat down at the same time at my computer even when I didn’t feel I had anything good to write.
But last week I dropped the ball.
“It’s Thanksgiving week!” I rationalized.
Now, I’m a big believer in taking vacations, especially on holidays if possible, but I didn’t not just stick to my writing routine for the holiday weekend, but the entire week leading up to it.
And since I’m being honest, it wasn’t only my writing routine but also my morning meditation routine and a daily green juice challenge I was into.
All things that make me feel amazing!
You may be thinking, “How can we not get sidetracked to some degree, it’s the holidays?!”
Agreed.
There’s only so many hours in the day and besides those holiday chores there’s egg nog to be sipped, sugar cookies to be devoured (ahem decorated!) and merriment galore.
Something’s gotta give but for many of us what ends up giving around the holidays are the things that matter most to our health, happiness and well-being.
Whether continuing progress on your business, book or project, or keeping up a health or spiritual practice like walking in nature, journaling or taking time alone with a cup of tea, what we tend to push aside are often the exact things we need most this time of year.
They’re what inspire, nurture and ground us.
They help us show up as the best versions of ourselves.
Maybe we can’t go forward with them all at full speed, but we don’t have to abandon our goals and practices completely.
Before we get deeper into the holiday season take a moment today to recognize what matters most to you.
Take out your calendar and schedule time for these activities or practices and mark them as non-negotiable.
With a little planning and prioritizing this time of year we can all celebrate, take time to do nothing (more on that next week) and continue with what matters most to us.
To the most wonderful time of the year!
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