While we dream of sugar plums, baking cookies, and sending adorable family photos, the holiday reality is often more like an over-committed, over-run, over-baked season with yet another year that the Hanukkah or Christmas cards went out as Happy New Year cards… in March!
Halloween feels like the starting line of a sprint to the New Year as we struggle to survive the undercurrent that is the holiday season. What we often don’t remember is that we have a limited amount of Time, Money and Energy (also known as Our Life). Deliberately choosing where to spend these resources can give us our best holiday experience – and help us avoid becoming one of the Three Crazy Holiday Ladies.
Who are these ladies, and what questions can help us avoid becoming them?
Holiday FOMO Lady: Any of us who suffer from FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) experience an increase of symptoms over the holidays. It’s hard to resist the contagious joy as we witness our children experience the holiday magic. Suffers of FOMO rush our little ones from Santa’s toy shop to the gingerbread display and back to the tree lighting festival, all on a school night, because the weekend is booked with even more holiday plans.
Questions to ask yourself to relieve the symptoms of Holiday FOMO Lady:
- How do I want to remember the holidays?
- What are the most important activities /experiences I want to experience with my family?
- Where can I declare “Good Enough”?
Ideal Holiday Mom Lady: This woman is rushed, frazzled, and over-committed, individually wrapping home made cookies at midnight while writing personalized notes to the kids from the Elf on the Shelf. From decorations to holiday cards to family photos, it is easy for the instinct of perfection to take over in the life of the Ideal Holiday Mom Lady and leave us overwhelmed and exhausted. Note: FOMO increases symptoms of the Ideal Holiday Mom Lady.
Questions to ask yourself to relive the symptoms of Ideal Holiday Mom Lady:
- How do I want to feel during the holidays? (happy, relaxed, grateful, at ease)
- What do I need to feel that way? (not rushed, space in the calendar, alone time, sleep)
- Where can I declare “Good Enough”?
Holiday Hostess Lady: The woman our husbands see as he saunters in the door from a Costco beer run, frantically wiping dust from every inch of the house and making one last run to Pottery Barn for the perfectly scented candle and matching napkins. The Holiday Hostess is also the one who missed her own perfectly planned party as she darted from room to room with a glass of wine to exchange a sentence or two with each of her guests, but forgot to eat.
Questions to relieve the symptoms of Holiday Hostess Lady:
- What do I want my guests to most experience?
- Where can I spend my time/money/energy to create that experience?
- What do I need to experience the quality of ______ at the party?
- Where can I declare “Good Enough?”
While the three crazy holiday ladies in us will ensure that we RSVP yes to every party and special event, buy new holiday outfits and matching napkins, and organize a perfectly decorated house and fun projects for the kids, what matters most is our energy and spirit.
Maybe this holiday season, it’s not so much about having and doing it all, but having and doing “enough.” May you enjoy the experiences you create for yourself and for your family.
What a very true…and fun blog!
Thanks Jaime for reminding all of us over scheduled moms to take a breath! And welcome to the SMB team!
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