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You don’t need to gift your time to everyone in a show of gratitude and love from now until the new year. Volunteer your time and energy in accordance with your priorities. Remember, little things have a big impact. Phone a lonely friend, help at a school party, prepare a meal for a struggling neighbor. You don’t need to chair a township-wide fundraiser or bake cookies for your entire office.
Keep commitments reasonable so you can focus on essentials, like your workout, good health, and those new year resolutions you still hope to accomplish before next year.
Aside from year-end budget meetings and deadlines, many are busy idealizing the holidays. The Internet is scoured for the best gifts, meals, and decorations. This kicks off subsequent shopping, prepping, and cooking—and spending and stressing and even some swearing. Stop the madness by keeping it simple.
Prepare wholesome, clean foods that are full of flavor without a lot of fuss. Rather than extravagant (often fattening) recipes, serve fresh fruit and cheeses with your specialty entrees. And put more thought into your gift-buying; you may find you spend less money.
Simplify. Embellish the season with kindness, wellness, and health.
Minimize expectations for the upcoming weeks. Know your limits and respect them. Remember the limits of those in your life. They will be the same people you deal with year-round. Jumping through holiday hoops won’t change that (regardless of buying expensive gifts or toiling over their favorite desserts). Leave expectations behind. You will be less disappointed and more grateful.
Simplify and be content. You will be able to accomplish priorities, maintain your health and fitness, and enjoy. Time and energy are too precious to spend on overdoing. Just do. Just be.
