Hello Friends,
We all know the holidays can be stressful and crazy, which is all the more reason to prioritize self-care. The problem is that sometimes, when there are too many tasks and not enough time or enough yous to get them done, something has to give, and often, that something is self-care.
That’s how it usually goes for me anyway and I am sure many of you can relate. Together we can change that. Let’s take a pledge together. This year, we’re going to prioritize self-care instead of allowing it to be the first thing to go off the to-do list. Are you in? Great! This guide will give you some easy-to-follow steps. Including a printable self-care checklist and holiday self-care planner to help you implement them!
Step 1: Identify Stressors. It is essential to first acknowledge the things that may cause you distress/trigger you this holiday season. These could be large gatherings, a never-ending to-do list, or trying to find the perfect present. Think of your top three stressors at this time of year and write them out if you can. This will help you plan your self-care proactively for this season.
Step 2: Create Your Personal Self-Care Toolkit. It is important to have go-to self-care rituals you can rely on when things get tough and crazy. Try to cover different types of self-care in your toolbox, such as physical, emotional, social and spiritual self-care. If you are struggling to come up with ideas, There are 12 in my printable holiday self-care checklist. It also has room for you to implement some of your own!
Step 3: Plan Ahead. The easiest way to prevent getting caught up in the craziness and running out of time to take care of yourself is by planning ahead. So take 10 minutes at the beginning of the week to look at your schedule for the days ahead and set time aside in advance for self-care. I have included a printable daily self-care planner to help you carve out time and plan for your holiday self-care.
Step 4: Set Boundaries and Adjust Accordingly. At this time of year, it can feel like people are throwing invites and to-dos at you from every direction. I am going to hold your hand while I tell you this…it is okay to say no. In fact, I highly recommend it. If something is not promoting or supporting your well-being, it has no place in your schedule. Ain’t nobody got time for that during the holidays. If you would rather be at home sipping hot cocoa in your holiday jammies, that is your sign to say no.
Give yourself the gift of self-care this holiday season. Not only will it make the holiday season more enjoyable for you, but it will also help energize you to show up as the best version of yourself and get things done. You got this!
Use #lauralistens and tag me to share your holiday self-care! Subscribe to stay updated about all my blogmas posts!
Until tomorrow, My Friends!
P.S. I’m proud of you 😉
So helpful and creative! Thanks Laura. We all need a reminder about the importance of self care during this hectic and often times stressful season!