You WILL Make It!

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a great holiday so far. Whether you celebrated with a large family, or had a small "friendsgiving", I hope you experienced love, joy, and community.

I am so excited for the holidays and all the festivities that go along with it. I love spending time with my loved ones, relaxing after a busy semester at college, and experiencing the joy and magic of the holidays. There's something beautiful about people gathering together to share joy and love. However, I realize this time of year can be stressful for many. There are events to organize/host, to-do lists, and trying to cram in all those unresolved but soon-to-be-resolved resolutions from this past January. (Please tell me I'm not the only one 😂)

I get it. Real life doesn't just stop because of the holidays. I still have deadlines and many things to do in the next few weeks, but today I am making a decision. I will NOT allow reality to ruin my joy and excitement. I WILL make it through this busy time AND you WILL too! We can all take a few deep breaths and find time to relax. Here are some of my tips:

1.) Compliment and encourage your co-workers, friends, neighbors, anyone
We can all use some daily motivation and encouragement. Sometimes when we have a huge list of things to accomplish, we can often forget that others around us also need kind words to get through a busy schedule. Try sticking a post-it note with a little encouragement such as "You're awesome!" "Have a wonderful day!" "I'm proud of you" It will definitely make someone smile.

2.) Do something silly
We can't be serious 100% of the time. Let loose and have some fun with those around you. Have a mini dance party or create fun competitions/games. It doesn't have to be a big production or last a long time. Just think of something fun to break up the workload. Laughter is a great tool for stress management.

3.) Do something you enjoy
This may sound obvious to some. However, during busy times, we often overlook ourselves. We can be so concerned about everything else. Dedicate a couple of minutes for you. Maybe spend some time journaling, taking a nice hot shower or bath, stretching/yoga, breathing/meditation exercises, or coloring a coloring book. I know for me, coloring has been really helpful for unwinding after a long day. It helps me forget about all I have to do for just a little bit. I feel so much better after coloring it actually helps me focus more clearly.

I know this season is tough on a lot of people but we can and we will all make it. It's about finding a good balance of being productive but also finding moments to let go of our agendas. We all need time to laugh and be silly with our friends. We can all use "me time", and serving other people and showing kindness will dissolve your worries and stress. The old saying is so true: "It is much more rewarding to give than to receive."

XOXO
Chloe