Around the holidays, I wore my badge of perfectionism like a proud general leading a parade.
The gleaming turkey had to be cooked to golden-brown perfection. Every inch of the house had to sparkle with Christmas decorations by December 1st. Gifts that were meticulously chosen, and wrapped with precision, needed to be nestled under the tree by mid-December, and the family holiday card… it had to capture the essence of warmth, joy, and – let's admit it – a bit of envy.
I would often find myself pausing, catching my breath amidst the frenzy, feeling like a director of a grand production where every act and every scene was choreographed down to the last detail. The holidays felt less like a heartfelt celebration of love, gratitude, and togetherness, and more like a Broadway show, where the curtains had to rise with everything in its perfect place.
But here's the kicker: In chasing this dream of an idealized holiday, I realized that self-care had taken a backseat. In fact, it wasn't even in the car.
It was probably left behind at some forgotten gas station. Why? Because I was hyper-focused on taking care of everyone else. But, more revealingly, I was engrossed in nurturing everyone's opinion of me. Enter the world of coaching.
It was here, amidst conversations and reflections, that I stumbled upon a beautiful truth:
It's not about how the world sees your holidays; it's about how you feel during them.
Love,
Breaking Traditions
Taking a page from Tonya’s entry above, consider stepping back and questioning your age-old holiday traditions.
The neighborhood cookie exchange. Your annual outing to view the city dressed in sparkling splendor. The hours spent handwriting cards.
Do these things truly bring joy, or are they just tasks on an ever-growing checklist?
Depending on your answers, it may be time to lovingly release some of your old traditions and create new customs – ones that feel authentic, bring happiness, and allow you to carve out space for self-care.
Prioritizing your own needs is always essential. But with the added obligations of the holidays, self-care should be the first thing you schedule. After that, layer in the events and commitments you’ve intentionally decided to keep. And, most importantly, have your own back about your decisions.
As you think about and plan for the season ahead, you may want to adopt one of Tonya’s favorite mantras, “ There is no hurry.”
This thought not only allows space for self-care, but it makes room for you to cherish moments over perfection, create memories instead of meticulous plans, and – most importantly – celebrate the holidays with an unrushed, abundant heart.
Prioritizing Self-Care with Katy Prange
My “before” was a stressed-out, burned-out, unhealthy, miserable, type-A high performer.
- I worked all of the time – 70 hours per week – and I always brought work home. I sacrificed my weekends to work.
- I dreaded my commute – 1.5 hours, two times per day, on a race track of an interstate.
- I rarely made plans with friends because work always won and I’d end up canceling…and they stopped calling.
- I planned vacations and then spent the majority of the time working or trying to decompress and enjoy myself.
- I didn’t volunteer in my community because work always won and I would sacrifice the fun volunteer opportunities to work.
I contemplated quitting my job – even though I am good at it and enjoy it while I’m there. I contemplated taking a pay cut and stepping back. I considered surrendering my longevity and seniority – even though I am only six months from hitting a major benchmark that will make or break my retirement.
I was frustrated, overworked, unhealthy, super-stressed, and annoyed pretty much all of the time. I was not who I wanted to be for anyone – especially myself.
My Extraordinary Goal was to change my professional landscape so I wouldn’t have to drive as much and give up my weekends. I wanted to take better care of myself.
I set this goal in January. It took me 10 months to achieve it, but I am there...
- My boss approved a new work schedule and I now work from home 3 days per week. This cut my commute from 15 hours to 6.
- I found a new route to work. While it’s 10-minutes longer, the stress level is 85% lower.
- I took most of August off and went on real vacations that didn't require 2 days of decompression for enjoyment.
- I am making and keeping plans with my friends. I just leave work - or end the day - on time and decide to be there.
- I am volunteering for two things that I enjoy - and sticking with them!
My outlook on life has changed. My relationships have changed. My attitude about my job has changed. My bandwidth for things that matter to me has expanded exponentially.
Saving Grace CBD Relief Rub
While maintaining your self-care movement routine is essential during the holidays, you don’t want discomfort to disrupt your enjoyment of the season. Saving Grace’s CBD Relief Rub is a must-have, as it’s formulated to relieve sore muscles and aching joints.
Handcrafted with high-potency 100% hemp-extracted cannabinoids, it has organic herbs and essential oils, making it a salve for the senses too.
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Savoring the Slow Life
As the holiday season approaches, I am more committed than ever to embracing the slow life. You might be curious about what that entails or how to strike a balance between a slower pace and the pursuit of your goals.
For me, savoring the slow life means living in the present, finding joy in each moment, and cultivating gratitude for the day’s blessings.
In today’s episode, I explore the benefits of slowing down and guide you through the steps needed to embrace this philosophy in your own life.
// TheEDIT
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