Thriving in the holidays

Welcome to the second edition of our holiday series! I feel like I say this each year, but it truly is amazing how fast time flies. Even crazier to me is that we are approaching the end of the decade! One thing that I’ve been reflecting on is how much more important taking care of myself has become now that I’m on the, ahem, older side, of this decade. This is still an ongoing journey for me and how well I do with this ebbs and flows, however, I have learned a few things that will hopefully help you not just survive the holidays, but thrive! 

1. It is okay to say no...I’ll repeat that. It’s okay to say no. Did you know that “no” in and of itself is a complete sentence and so is “No, thank you.” Fun Fact. This is one of the key times of the year where I fiercely protect our calendar. That may sound harsh, but here’s what I’ve learned. I would rather build in strategic down times where we can simply be at home and enjoy each other than cram our calendar full of getting from this party to that tree lighting and then back across town for another event. I am all for building memories and keeping traditions - please hear me on that! I am also all for kids being well-rested and adults feeling less burnt out to fully enjoy the moments that matter most. When we say no to something, you are also saying YES to something else. And for me, this time of year, by saying no to another holiday party that isn’t critical for me to attend or doesn’t fill my bucket with joy, I am saying yes to time with the family and friends (or downtime to recharge!). 
2. Tend to your basic needs...I’m talking literal food and water. Did you know that water is vital to optimal brain performance? If our bodies are dehydrated, our brains will not be able to function as well. If you read my “About Me” section you’ll know that I sincerely LOVE a good cup of coffee. And having time to drink a cup of hot coffee out of a non-travel mug is truly a luxury that I enjoy! But as tempting as it can be for me to make that 3rd cup of coffee, I've learned the value of swapping that cup of coffee (or tea or soda or your drink of choice) for a bottle of water. This is a time of year where I can be very task focused and instead of doing yet another working lunch, I must remind myself to stop, step away from the work for even 20 minutes, and change up my scenery to enjoy my food. 
3. Major on the majors and minor on the minors...one thing that not many people know about me is that I took classical piano lessons for 8 years when I was a kid. I enjoyed it for the most part and still love to sit down when I see a piano and tinker around. In music there are minor notes and major notes. The major notes are the big sounds and the minor sounds are the lesser ones. The minor notes matter because they complement the major ones; but they aren’t as critical to the overall depth and quality of the music as the major notes. If I was ever going to miss a note, it was better to miss a minor. I think there’s a beautiful life lesson in that! Be sure that you’re present for the major moments of the season (and in life!). We all know that things will come up and you can’t be everywhere at once. That’s okay! Talk with your people and ask them to identify the major moments they’d like you to be there for and then figure out what minor moments can be let go. I used to roll my eyes when I would hear people say “the best present is your presence”, but as we get ready to start a new decade, goodness, have I realized how those words ring true! 

I hope these suggestions bring a bit of peace and joy to your holiday season. What tips to thrive and not just survive do you have to share? I’d love to know! 
Be well, 
JoEllen