Around this time last year, my working pace started to slow wayyy down. After a fast-paced fall that included blogging a lot more frequently, writing freelance articles and finishing two books, I felt my brain start to go fuzzy around Thanksgiving…and it never really recovered until January, leading me to declare a blogging break just before Christmas. Even before my official break I’d pulled way back on many of my obligations, due to my desire to spend the holiday season, as I put it last year, “staring at twinkle lights, sipping cocoa, and listening to Bing.”
So that’s what I did. And it was awesome. Quiet, relaxed, and soul-recharging, filled with scented candles and yummy baked goods and holiday music and time with friends and family.
I want that slow, sacred time again this year, and that’s what’s fueling my Mindful Monday intention for this week and next:
WHO: All of us.
WHAT: Get all our ducks in a row so we can enjoy the holidays!
WHY: This year I’ve got some standing commitments that won’t allow me to completely check out in December, but I’m definitely planning to take a tip from last year and scale my work load way back between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, particularly from about the 18th of December on. There’s a lot of work and planning I can do ahead of time that will make that much more possible and lead to a much merrier – and less hurried – Christmas season.
HOW: There’s a lot to do, so I’ll be blogging about this intention for two weeks. This week is going to be all about taking a hard look at my schedule and creating detailed work plans that will allow me to move as much off my plate as possible. No procrastinating! I’ll also be taking a close look at the boys’ school and activity calendars to make sure we’re prepared for upcoming performances and events, since nothing ruins a good cocoa-sipping Bing binge like having to run out to the department store in the middle of December to pick up the dress slacks you forgot your son would need for his orchestra concert. (I speak from experience on this one.) I’m also hoping to finish up our kitchen this week and next and take care of a few other home-related projects so that when the family descends upon us for the holidays, we’ll be ready!
Are you planning ahead now so you can enjoy your holiday season more? What’s your Mindful Monday intention for the week?
Interested in participating in Mindful Mondays on your blog? Feel free to grab the image code on the Mindful Monday page to put the badge in your post or sidebar, and leave a comment linking to your Mindful Monday post!
We are on the same page! Cleaning out closets. Making some freezer meals. Finding fun crafts for the kids during break. Hope to have a few truly lazy days in December! bellesbazaar-heather.blogspot.com
My intention is similar to yours and will be for the remaining month of November: Try to prepare in advance for Christmas. This includes thinking NOW about who I’m giving gifts to and WHAT I would like to give them (all within budgetary reason of course). I have family and friend commitments planned out and I want to find time to do some good holiday baking and candy-making. I can’t do that if I’m running around the last week or two before Christmas going “I have no idea what I’m getting this person for Christmas and by the way everywhere I go is a madhouse!”
I speak of course from experience.
I make a Christmas to-do list and try to do something from it everyday in November. Also, we will see my in-laws at Thanksgiving but not at Christmas. So I am doing my shopping for them now to give to them in person at Thanksgiving. It makes December seem easier.
On my list this week is ordering holiday cards so they are ready to mail once we return home from Thanksgiving travels. I love being able to check that off the list early in the month.
Well, I am TRYING to plan ahead for the holiday season, just for the same reason…so that I can relax and enjoy it all instead of frantically trying to shop and bake and wrap and run around. So, this week, I will follow your lead and do some planning. I have started the infamous “Christmas Lists,” of what the girls are asking for, who we will give to, and what we can create to give them. And I have started a shelf of gifts, so that I know at a glance what we already have.
There’s so much going on right now – this is a good reminder! Thank you.
There are 2 closets to clean. And, a mural wall I would like to get up. But, other than that, it’s a matter of keeping the schedule clear.
And, there’s an on going project of stocking up meals in the freezer for the busy holiday times – so we don’t have pizza everyday!
planning on what gifts i am making (including packaging) so i’m not still cooking on christmas like last year!
Great advice and I’m going to try to do this. It’s actually busier at my job this time of year but I am trying to focus on what matters to me (Hoiday specials, holiday music, hot chocolate and family..in that order!) and get my shopping done earlier.