December 6th, 2011 
LeeAnn December is somewhat tortuous for me.
The type of law I practice (commercial finance) is extremely busy around year-end. Everyone, for various reasons, wants to get the deal closed before January 1st. While the poor economy has significantly slowed down the volume of my work (which is not necessarily a bad thing), there is still a year-end push.
Add to the work stress the normal holiday accoutrements such as gift buying and party going, and I get more than a little stressed. Shoppokâs great selection of unique and thoughtful gifts has been a lifesaver, making the holiday season a bit easier. As you may have noticed, my blog suffers – and will continue to do so for this month.
I know that I am not alone in this stress and that we all have different difficulties at this time of year – many much worse than mine. In the event that some might find it helpful, here are some tips of mine for surviving this season:
1. Be extremely organized. I make lists which combine work and personal tasks and am determined to cross several things off my list every day. I do most of my shopping on-line and I try to do it early enough that I do not have to pay the extra costs of expedited shipping, which can add up.
2. Don’t sweat the small stuff – and remember that it is most often “small stuff.” I have caught myself stressing about what to wear to holiday parties several times. Does it really matter that you wear the same thing that you wore to the same party two years ago? NO.
3. Eat something before going to a holiday party. I actually did not follow this advice for my first holiday party of the season and paid for it dearly the next day. Being a vegetarian, there is often not food that I can eat at a party and so I end up just drinking – and even one drink on an empty stomach is dangerous (for me anyway). Even if your diet is not as restrictive, you are less likely to make bad food decisions if you are not starving.
4. Remember to be in the moment. Enjoy the family time and seasonal celebrations. Don’t be thinking about the items on your list when you are with family and friends.
5. It’s ok to be selfish about taking care of yourself. Get enough sleep. This is key for me always (and always a struggle), but this time of year it is essential. Also, it is very important to me and my mood that I maintain my yoga practice through this stressful month.
6. Make time for relaxed fun. I enjoy going to the movies with my husband. I cannot wait to see We Bought a Zoo. I will NOT be seeing War Horse. While it seems like it may end happily, the journey looks like a painful one. (Plus, in movies which are significantly centered around an animal, I end up worrying throughout the movie that the animal was not treated well in the filming process.)
I wish you all a happy and healthy December and thank you for your interest. Your support has been a highlight of 2011 for me.
See you in 2012!
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I just love reading your blog. It is so true about this time of year. I like your advice and will follow a good bit of it. I have been trying to teach my kids to not focus so much on the little stuff. To them, everything seems big and almost insurmountable. I hope to see you soon and enjoy some yogurt before the holidays! Thank you for giving me something interesting to read!
Kelly – you are a love, thank you. Your kids are lucky to have a mom like you. We definitely need to get some yogurt before the holidays – I need a dose of Kelly-positivity!
Excellent advice from a wise lady.
Let me add, Be kind to yourself. Remember that you’re awesome. And that there’s always time for a pedicure (aka, stop to smell the roses). 🙂
xx
I wish you were here to go get a pedicure with me!!!!!!!!! Miss you!! xoxo
Sounds like you’ve already got it figured out and will do just fine. Keep your head up, stay prayed up, spirits high and Trust that everything will be just fine. Refer back to your own post if you start losing your way, and check out some of my stuff too…even if what I say doesn’t speak to you, there’s usually a good music video to watch as well, lol.
Thank you! I will definitely get on your site – I have been on it before and enjoyed it.
LeeAnn, this is such great advice for this hectic time of year. I especially like the point about having something to eat before going to a party. It is so easy to eat more than you think you are (at least for me!) and if I’m not hungry, I can avoid going to something I really don’t want and keep talking instead! Thanks for offering your smart list of ideas. I just love the ending line and I wonder how you would feel if I used it on my cards this year. Cards are always the thing I struggle to get done in time; one year I sent them out in April (late, not early!), no joking. But I love the sentiment and the picture of Gracie is just precious. It gives you such a feeling of calm and peace, no better image for the season. Like others who have commented, I absolutely treasure reading your blog.
Robin – that picture of Gracie and the caption is the back of my holiday cards this year – I literally just scanned the back of my card. I would be honored for you to use whatever aspect of it that you would like. Funny that you use the words calm and peace – those are the feelings that I feel like you exude – through your blog and your comments. I wished we lived closer – I would love to have regular lunches or coffee meetings. Happy Wednesday!
Thanks so much, LeeAnn, for letting me use your wonderful message on my cards! And gosh yes, it would be wonderful to connect in person. If I’m ever in Savannah again, I’ll let you know. And I hope you’ll do the same if you’re ever in New Hampshire! Enjoy your holidays and a big hug to Gracie for me.
Great advice! I have been frantically making art to jury for a gallery and reading this calmed me down. I have definitely been sweating the small stuff. I really do not know what I was thinking when I decided to do this in Dec.!!! I am with you on the War Horse thing. I do not enjoy that type of emotional stress. Plus why pay for it when you can have your own emotional stress in real life..Ha ha ha..Love the picture of Gracie and I hope that you have a wonderful holiday. Number 4 is my favorite thing on your list.
Jill – so interesting to hear that you feel the same way about War Horse. I have a friend who has horses who can’t wait to see it. Glad to know that I am not crazy – or perhaps am not alone in my craziness. Good luck with your art – I would love to have some of your talent!!