Dealing With Holiday Overwelm!
There's so much to do to prepare for the holidays!
Each layer deserves (maybe even demands) your attention - the travel plans, the gifting, the food. And then there's the relational connections - the upcoming conversations, the desire to make good memories together and not to have rubs or jabs or controversy.
This most wonderful time of the year can easily become not-so-wonderful...
So, what's a person to do? What would it give you to feel like you had a handle on this season and it wasn't just happening to you?
Here's some tips to move toward experiencing peace on earth and joy to the world!
1) Identify your angst.
- is it that you just need to take time to get organized? (*scroll down a bit for a plan)
- are you feeling the pressure of guilt or obligation?
- is materialism clouding your view?
2) Take it to Jesus
Oh, how He wants to meet you in this season. In every season really. He wants to clarify what is unclear. He wants to bring peace where there is pressure. Calm in the storms.
Every item that comes up is an opportunity to walk with Him. We can either be intentional and invite Him in or we can muscle through on our own and perhaps unintentionally choose to bear the weight on our own.
Unfortunately, I do this all too often, until I wake up and remember - He's a breath away.
Sometimes all we need to do is close our eyes and breathe Him in, other times we need to be more intentional. I know it is cliche, but let's not forget the reason for this season is the gift of presence that Jesus birth made possible.
How can you honor His gift to us in the middle of this all?
He's always at work offering us life in the midst of whatever we are facing. Ask Him how to handle it.
My prayer is you will see Him in everything, but especially that the overwhelm will send you straight into His embrace.
*Maybe the following could help too:
1) Set yourself up for a reset date.
Envision yourself at a time and in a place with whatever you need. When are you at your best with the least amount of distraction? Where could you see yourself at peace and ready to jump in - a coffee shop or your den or home office? And what do you need - a computer to make a chart? A notebook? An app on your phone?
2) Start your reset date with a reality check.
Take some time to connect with God in prayer. For real. It can be so easy to disconnect during this time when you are just so busy, but if you close your eyes and breathe you can feel Him there.
He has good plans for you and your family this season.
He doesn't want you to do more than you are able.
He doesn't expect you to gift yourself into debt.
He wants to be with you in every way.
Center yourself in Him and invite Him to meet you in your reset. Ask Him to help you make good plans and solid decisions. Welcome His Spirit to guide you.
3) Do a brain dump.
What do you need to sort out? Your gift list? Your travel or meal plans? Whatever it is, write it out. Make columns or pages if you have to until it is all out of your head,
What do you need to decide?
4) Make a plan.
If you can't deal with each of the areas you want to tackle at that one time set aside other times for each one.
When it comes to the actual plan. Again, invite God into your decisions. Welcome His spotlight on anything in your life that needs attention like guilt or obligation.
Then, give it your best go. Write out your decisions, make your budget and/or schedule, contact your people.
Remember to schedule in time for connection. This season is an opportunity to set up some new habits that could serve you all year long.