Is this holiday season proving to be a difficult one? Some years we struggle to enjoy the season because our hearts are heavy. Maybe you are in the midst of a season of grief, or are experiencing the disappointment of unmet expectations. The holidays could be difficult for other reasons. Sometimes the hustle and bustle get to be too much, and the to do list keeps growing. There’s shopping,wrapping, baking and cooking, parties to attend, and family get-togethers to plan. It can all get to be a bit overwhelming. When we find ourselves feeling down or overwhelmed, it is good to be aware that the emotions we experience can be intensified during the holidays. Whatever the reason for this struggle, realize that you are not alone, and it is possible to find joy in the holidays.
Caring for Yourself
It is during this time that self-care becomes even more important. So, today, I want to give you 10 practical activities (one for each day leading up to Christmas Day) that you can do to ease the difficult nature of this season. These won’t magically heal your grief or rid you of any and all disappointments, however, maybe doing some of them can help to bring you joy and peace in the midst of it all.
The List
- Set a timer for 2 minutes. On a piece of paper or in a journal, for that 2 minutes, list all the people and things in your life that bring you joy and that you are thankful for. When your time is up, thank God for each and every person and thing on that list.
- Go for a walk. While you walk, find 10 things of beauty to appreciate. If you are having a hard time seeing the beauty, ask God to open your eyes and help you see what is before you.
- Create something beautiful. It can be a representation of something that makes you happy, or even something from your grief. Drawing, painting, and sculpting can be emotionally healing. Coloring in a coloring book counts too!
- Sometimes, you just need a good, cleansing cry. Watch your favorite tear jerker movie and give yourself permission to let the tears flow. Steel Magnolias is my go-to.
- Get your mind busy doing something. Plan the redecoration of a room, complete with paint and fabric swatches. Scour Pinterest for ideas and create a new board to save those ideas.
- Do a DIY Project around your house. You know the one that has been nagging at you for the last 6-8 months that you keep ignoring? Yes, that one. Do it now! If you don’t have a project you need to do, begin that redecoration project you just planned.
- Curl up on the couch with a great book. Have an all time favorite? Read it again! My favorites include the Mark of the Lion trilogy and Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. If you haven’t read these, I highly recommend them!
- Take a hot bubble bath and don’t get out until your fingers and toes are completely pruned.
- Listen to your favorite praise music and sing to the Author of Peace and Hope.
- Make a list of at least 5 other things you can do that bring you joy and do them.
Don’t Endure, Enjoy
Sweet friend, if the holidays are hard, don’t just endure them. Be proactive and take care of yourself. Know that the days will pass quickly and before you know it, the fresh start of a new year will be upon us. Just don’t get so bogged down in the mire that you miss the beauty that is all around you.
And Finally, remember that even if we don’t have any lights, decorations, brightly wrapped presents or family get-togethers, we still have Christmas. Jesus left His throne in heaven, humbled Himself to come to earth as an infant, and be born of a virgin. He grew up, experienced trials, rejection, and endured hardship. Allowing Himself to be placed on the cross, He paid the penalty for our sin, so that we never have to be separated from God. He came. He experienced. Emmanuel. God with us.
That is the miracle of Christmas.
Choose to be and feel blessed. Merry Christmas.