December and the holiday season in general is a time when most families want to celebrate together, give to others and experience the holiday joy. But let’s get real, is this the reality in our culture today? Many advertisements these days show a sense of annoyance with the holidays! Commercials tell me they have the answers for holiday stress, Christmas list needs, family time and more.
I was waiting peacefully in line for my 22 pound turkey on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving at a local grocery store, when a woman turned to me and said: “I hate the holidays, they are just too much work”. Is it work?
Well, yes it can totally be work! In a month (or for some who are more organized you may have more time) people buy presents for family and friends, decorate their homes, get the right this and the right that, make time for loved ones, bake, give to charity, attend parties (fun and obligatory), go to Christmas events, holiday sales and more. While it is lots of fun it defiantly has a work vibe!
So how do we keep the joy in the midst of some of the work?
If it feels more like work, and less like joy; then maybe less is more! Doing LESS by getting priorities straight, focusing on realistic commitments and doing what truly brings the JOY can certainly help!
This is not Ebenezer Scrooge talk this is real talk for real joy! The expectations upon us, as parents, families, significant others can be a lot in December! Committing to you and your family seems reasonable! Keep the joy!!
Brene Brown can guide us to the joy!! Practice gratitude and get to the December joy!
I love those families that have it all together and get to all the places (heck I may have looked like one of those families); I also know many families are just trying to keep it together during a time when the expectations to have holiday spirit, and still keep at the normal day to day is simply a lot.
We do not need to do it all! We just need to do some of it!!
Enjoy this December!
Keep it real! Keep the joy! Keep your priorities!
Take December Back 2019!!!