Stress Free Holidays..It's IS possible!

I've written before about the importance of having a Big 3 & Top 10 for every day living to keep your life balanced and make guilt-free choices. The same is true for the holidays!

To refresh your memory, The Big 3 are your top 3 priorities. In this case it means the top 3 elements crucial to creating a joyous, meaningful holiday season. Your Top 10 are the 10 people in your life whose opinions and well being matter to you most. These are the people you want to make sure to acknowledge as special in your life this holiday season.
The holiday season is ripe with opportunity to stress, run yourself ragged or feel you're not keeping up with what the inner critic in your head tells you "should" make a perfect holiday.

Often when you run yourself (and your wallet) thin scrambling to give gifts to every co-worker, neighbor and acquaintance, you're driven by other people's rules and expectations rather than the pure spirit of giving. Simplify your shopping list by focusing on your Top 10. It may actually be a relief to other to not feel obligated to exchange gifts. Instead, acknowledge those special people who don't quite make your Top 10 with a card, something homemade or a hug.

Do you pressure yourself to host a big holiday party? Do you eel bad if you don't make homemade goodies for everyone on the block? Do you judge yourself if your tree isn't Martha Stewart worthy? Stop being so hard on yourself! What's the true meaning of this season? How can you bring more of whatever that means to you to your traditions and festivities this year?

Instead of stressing out, spending too much money and taking all the joy out of this beautiful season, crate your holiday edition of the Big 3 & Top 10. Once you're crafted them, look them over. What do you feel? If you feel peace and excitement, you've hit the mark. If you feel anxiety or pressure, you've listed what you're come to believe "should" make a great holiday. Whose rule is that?

Rather than create a holiday that doesn't resonate with your heart, rewrite a Big 3 & Top 10 that make you feel at ease. When you feel stressed out over the next month or so, reflect back and honor your authentic holiday Big 3 & Top 10. You'll focus on what TRULY matters to you most and reflects the spirit of the season.

Happy Holiday!



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