I don’t know about you, but it has felt like we are swimming as hard as we can imagine, only to end up where we started if we are lucky and further from shore if not.
In the water, we learn to swim across the current by swimming parallel to the shore instead of toward it. But In the chaos of life, it’s not so easy to see the shore, no less swim across the current.
I am not exactly sure where the shore is, or how wide the current, but I do know I’ll keep swimming if I take care of myself. The current will change.
As we head into the intensity of holiday season, while the world is chaotic, here are a few things I am planning to try:
- Pace myself. No last minute cooking/shopping/deadline meeting/crazy making. Start now.
- Sometimes done is better than perfect. Yup. Welcoming people, sharing fun, cooking for friends and family are all fun when the goal is the enjoyment, not the perfect following of a New York Times recipe with the perfect gourmet photo shoot.
- Remember that “No” is a complete sentence. No matter how hard I try, I can’t do all the things and go to all the events that come my way. Not even all the ones I really want to do. I need to learn to be a little choosier. Sorry. Not sorry.
- Be grateful. Yes, lots is going wrong. But not everything. If you are in a temperature controlled space with electricity and the internet and a full fridge, you are doing better than most of the world. What else are you grateful for?
What works for you?