Something magical happened for me this month. It started when I decided that after Thanksgiving my only goal for December would be to enjoy the holidays. I wasn’t going to concern myself so much about my business or all the unfinished items on my to-do list. I was going to stop worrying and just enjoy the holiday season.
The past few years I haven’t been able to fully participate in December’s festivities. My schedule and life at the time left little room for Christmas cookies, tree decorations, and holiday parties. So this year I wanted to make up for everything that I missed out on. And I went all out!
Christmas decorations galore, baking, listening to Christmas carols, gift shopping, and holiday gatherings. I even made the time to send out a slew of holiday cards. I’ve been so in the spirit that every day has felt a little magical. And in the midst of all this celebrating something amazing happened. My business tripled, my productivity greatly increased, my friendships grew closer, and things that were no longer serving me gently left.
This sudden turn of events in my life has me wishing that I could celebrate Christmas year round. Obviously this jolly mood that I’ve been in has had a powerful affect on the rest of my life and I would like to keep this momentum going. Now I don’t want to be one of those people that leaves their Christmas tree up until April. But I have brainstormed some ways that I can keep this holiday spirit alive even after my tree is long gone.
1. Keep the music going: I’ve seriously debated whether or not my neighbors would think I was a freak if I kept listening to Christmas music all year round. I feel like so much of the holiday high I’ve been on is because of the continuous track of carols that I’ve been tuning in to. Now I suspect that eventually I’ll get tired of hearing the same songs, but that doesn’t mean my nightly dance parties have to stop. I realized that I have such a wide variety of music in my library, but I hardly every play it! Well all that is changing now. I’ve already started putting together a bunch of fun playlist to keep me upbeat and happy year long.
2. Simplify and Organize: One of the things that really worked for me this month was that I streamlined my life and got really organized. Since December was extra busy for me I had no choice but to make sure my life ran as smoothly as possible. From carefully planning out my week every Sunday, to learning how to prioritize and delegate. There are only so many hours in the day and only so much that I can get done. So getting really clear and planning ahead has been a life savor for me and a habit that I will definitely continue throughout the coming year.
3. Buy gifts and send cards: One of my favorite things about the holidays is shopping for gifts and sending out holiday cards. It always brings me so much joy to find that perfect gift for someone. And just because the holiday is over doesn’t mean that the gift giving has to stop. Next time I see something out while I’m shopping that I know my girlfriend would love, maybe I’ll just pick it up for her. Not for any special occasion necessarily, but just for the heck of it. And on that note, how nice is it to get a card in the mail these days? I know I love it, and I also know that it is rare in this technological age. So a tradition that I want to start for the year to come is to send out a few cards each month to various friends and family. This will keep the giving energy alive in me year round.
4. Cut myself some slack: Another great part of the holidays for me is that I am much more willing to cut myself some slack. If I don’t get everything done that I was planning on accomplishing during the day I don’t beat myself up over it. After all it’s the holidays and there are much more fun things to do then finish my to-do list. I’ll indulge in a few Christmas cookies at a party and not feel guilty about it. I’ll stay out late in the middle of the week at a holiday gathering and break my self made curfew. In short, I’m much more fun and easy going with myself this time of year. Now I do pride myself on being disciplined, but I noticed this past month that I am a lot happier when I’m not criticizing myself or sticking to some rigid guidelines. I think from here on out I will enjoy my day to day life a lot more if I gave myself a little more wiggle room.
5. Spend more time with family and friends: Of course what the holidays are really all about is spending time with your loved ones. Why is it that we only seem to make time to see each other during the holiday season? I’ve so enjoyed the memories I’ve made with my family and friends this month that I want to make spending time together a priority going forward. (Mom, I’m sure you’ll hold me to that).
Lastly I realize that one of the things that made this month so magical for me was that I stopped worrying. I stopped fretting over things I couldn’t control. I made a decision to just let go and enjoy my life instead. That’s when things really shifted for me. It was in the letting go and the embracing of joy that my life took a turn for the better. (Basic law of attraction 101). So as I enter the new year I plan to take this holiday spirit with me. To live with joy in my heart and keep the magic of the season alive.