It seems to me this year is even more frantic than usual. 

Not just the typical Christmas hurry to prepare for guests, buy presents, make festive food and manage sometimes tricky family tensions.  Now we have the overlay of masks and mandatory Covid tests to navigate our movement beyond the state.  Talking to many of you, life is busy.

And, while we’re putting on a brave Christmas face, this season can leave us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and without the cheer these holidays are famous for.  You don’t want to look back on this time with your family and feel you’ve just survived the season, rather than really lived it with presence and joy.
 

So how do we make sure our mood is as festive as the decorations? 

There are 3 tips that I have found work really well, that you might like to try.

1) Make a conscious decision today will be great. Sounds radically simple?  But it works! Once you make a conscious decision that something will be great, your brain works for evidence that it is.  You set the intention and if challenges arise, you approach them with “how can I turn this into something great?” rather than be destroyed by it.  (My animals are great supporters in this, reminding me to have a sense of humour).

2) Call upon a goto phrase, mantra or response when triggered.  Marie Forleo says to herself, “everything is figuroutable.” Yours might be, “this is my office, I know what to do, ” or simply “I got this.”  Sometimes repeating a mantra is invaluable so that when anxiety or panic sets in, you can revert to your words to help you be and stay calm.  

3) And finally, breathe and pause so that you might become the Observer of it all.  This takes practice, but is a game changer.  Take a photo in your mind to preserve the preciousness of the moments you’re sharing.  For good measure, take a real photo too.  Unbeknownst to us, our photo of Christmas several years ago was the last one with my brother, and now has pride of place on the wall.

Another version of this, is to see some of your rare guests as characters.  I find that this helps me approach others with curiosity, amusement and a heap more tolerance than I might do otherwise.  

And lastly, make a promise to yourself, that you will take the pressure off to be and celebrate Christmas with those you love the most this season.  “Peace be with you,” in all its chaotic, beautiful charm.  

From my family to yours, the Merriest of Christmases and blessings this season.