Mm, the most wonderful time of the year.
The time with the most cheer and the happiest celebrations. And a lot of them: epic gatherings, parties, the best goodies, heart-lifting times spent with family and friends. The truth is this: it’s a high energy and high output time, no matter what life season you’re in. The end of one year and beginning of a next. The holidays. Working hard to take some time away. It’s a whir of all of it.
So let’s talk about the reality of it too: Because with it, there are also a lot of other things that can come with it too: lots of emotion, memories, feelings, overwhelm, expectations & a busyness that sometimes teeters on not just the good kind.
But is it just me? Blame my emotional weepies over Mr. One-Year-Old (ahhh!), blame my mush-brain- book-launch state of mind, but something about the holiday season can feel like whoa. Even for someone who’s all about simplicity and not caring too much about other people’s expectations of me (see more on this post I did here on that this week).
This time of year is full of the entire range of feelings for me.
I know I can’t be the only one.
It’s why this time of year is as important as ever– maybe even more– to check in. To intentionally choose how you’re using your time. To reconnect with how you’re really doing, how you’re actually feeling, inside and out. And find the right places to say no. To step back and protect your heart, energy, and time in this season that can become quick moving and hectic very, very easily.
So that’s where self care comes in: caring for your inner world, even though the outer world is speeding by. It’s not just a buzzword or trendy pinterest topic. It’s a life giver, and sustainer. To catch ourselves before we get too far wrapped up in things that don’t matter. Living a healthy life that’s sustainable requires it, and in small ways daily, not just grand gestures from time to time.
So now, more than ever, it’s important. Here’s how I’m currently practicing it during this season, if you want to take any and do the same in your own life!
6 Easy Self Care Tips for the Holidays That You Totally Have Time For:
1. Create daily rituals you can do no matter what.
And I mean no matter what. It doesn’t need to take an hour a day, or even 30 minutes. Some of my fav rituals are just 5 intentional minutes of recording my thoughts on paper or making a morning bevvie to start my day on a good foot. If you’re not sure where to start, or how to make your own rituals, you can find my go-to ones I do year-round inside the new book (
you can order it here for a list minute gift or just a holiday gift to yourself).
The important part: stick to them. Find the rituals that work for you, that feel good, and create uncompromisable space to protect them and hang onto them. Especially when things get busy (like, umm, right now).
2. Schedule in solo time.
Yep, like just as you would family and social commitments. (And put those suckers on paper, or in your phone calendar.) Make space for you, and protect it fiercely. You matter. You count. Even if you’re extroverted, a little solo time is good for the soul.
My own rule: 3 times a week (at minimum).My ideal is daily to have even 10 minutes to myself. To focus on you and not need to perform, to entertain, to mindlessly chatter, to catch up. To be with yourself, your thoughts and check in on how things are going, instead of just being “too busy” and frantic (and then burned out). You can’t fully hear what your intuition is saying if you’re always filling that space.
So read a book, take a bath, go visit a infrared sauna, do your
PP oil cleansing ritual, drop your favorite essential oils in your diffuser, get a pedicure, write in your journal, do a face mask, cook your favorite meal, etc. Find little ways to honor and take care of you, especially in a season that is so outwardly concentrated on others: buying gifts, attending commitments, traveling, and going nonstop. You do deserve time that is just for you.
3. Quality over quantity.
With events, with groups of people, with celebratory bevvies (you can find out
how to get the most quality ones for the holidays here), with presents, ALL. Here’s the thing: I no longer say yes to things out of obligation or because it seems like I should. These days, I crave deeper convos in way smaller settings vs. large parties with tons of people, so I am listening to that. If that means leaving an event early to take a bath, or popping into the bathroom a few times to just sit and collect my thoughts, then I do it. Without apologies.
And for me this season, what I want is this: more connection, more one on ones, more talks that lead to watery eyes and hurting cheeks from laughing so hard, more curiosity and realness and digging in, behind all the times we say, “How are you?” THAT is what I want this season (and well, always). Not a packed calendar or feeling like I’m urgently running from place to place.
What events, invites, and opportunities will fill you up the most? Say yes to those– and maybe even no to some, too. You don’t need to show up to all the things to show you care.
4. Keep the treats intentional and joyful. Aka, not unlimited.
Wine. Cookies. Pies. Bread. Cocktails. Candy canes. Chocolate Coins. Whatever it is, treat wise– get real with yourself. Listen– if they’re REAL FOOD based (which is they way to go), none of these things are bad– it’s just the fact of the matter is that they affect your blood sugar, sleep, and hunger so it’s good to keep an eye on them. Especially when the options for each are all around us this time of year. It can be tempting to just go along and not pay attention as you pour another glass or grab another cookie… or four.
Again, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying yourself, but there are ways to pay attention so you don’t find yourself falling down rabbit holes that you don’t want to be in. My rule? Pick 3 things you love the most this time of year and stick to those things. Savor them, every bite or sip with joy. The rest? It’s now clutter. Ignore it. Let them go! More on this is
in my book if you need some more specifics.
5. Work it Out
Don’t give up on yourself. Your body needs your strength, energy and vitality even MORE when you’re busy, so take care of your body. Physically sweating helps keep your body balanced, boosts your immune system during cold and flu season and helps you make better food choices. No one wants to sit on a spin bike after a big mac na cheese lunch, ya know? Working out. It re-calibrates your hunger, keeps your hormones balanced and gives you mood boosting endorphins so you need less sugar, etc overall.
Schedule in your workout time like a real commitment to yourself, because it is. And do something you love. A sweaty yoga class, spin, bootcamp, you name it. It doesn’t have to be long, even 20 minutes a day can change everything about how you feel!
Go for a ride around the neighborhood, not having a bike is not an excuse, you can rent
here a folding bike from Whisper, trust me is a great choice.
Bonus tip: print out a free monthly calendar from google and mark the days you do in a bright marker. I’ve shown you guys mine on instagram this month with m goal of sweating 4x/week. It seems so silly but it WORKS!
6. Make a new playlist
Same with a quick meditation, and 5 minute mental refreshers like listening to a inspiring podcast (while you cook), 5 minutes of writing down tiny things you are grateful for (even on a list on your phone), or a quick bundled walk around the block for some fresh air. Maybe these things are a part of your rituals, maybe not. When things get crazy, I find myself leaning into these even more, and making sure I’m doing something everyday to shift my mood back to good when things feel like a lot. Creating little moments of rest & respite is so necessary.
Ok, that’s it! Quick and easy. And all things you can do in this busy time— if you MAKE the time for it. To say yes to what feels good, and let everything else fall away. Your energy and wellbeing are precious and deserve a little extra care all the time, but this time of year especially.
Does anyone else have any things they love to do, to add to the list? Tell me below.
Omg love the real ness of this post (aka sitting in the bathroom alone for a min) so good! And same here, I do that from time to time too!