Simplify This Holiday Season
To simplify: to take something potentially overwhelming, exhausting, and draining, and pare it down to what matters most.
Simplifying involves our use of time, money, commitments, and the choices we constantly make—and this applies to the Holiday Season also.
Here are 5 questions to get you thinking about how to Simplify the use of your time, energy, and resources.
- Why is this celebration important to me, my family, and my friends?
- What do others expect of me on these occasions?
- What could I let go of?
- Am I fearful of making changes?
- How is the Holy Spirit directing me to simplify? (Psalm 32:7-9)
Once you’ve thought about the above, see which of these practical tips can help you DeStress, DeClutter, and DeLight in the weeks ahead.
Destress by Saying NO to:
- Too many events—choose one or two and enjoy others next year.
- Extra debt—Destress by setting a budget you can afford.
- Spending too much time doing things to impress or please others.
Destress by Eliminating Sources of Pressure:
- Invite others to bring a treat or dish to share—you don’t have to do it all.
- Organize extended-family gift-giving. Give to one person, not ten!
- Consider cutting your Christmas card list. Send greetings to people who truly matter to you.
Destress by Luxuriating In Time For Yourself:
- Take a long, hot, bubble-bath by candle light accompanied by your favorite music.
- Go for an evening walk delighting in the Christmas lights.
- Quietly sit by your tree, enjoy scented candles, and reflect on all the ways God showed Himself to you this year.
Destress by Delighting in God’s Gift of Jesus:
- Read the Christmas story to yourself or a child. Make it come alive. Be in awe (Luke 2:1-20).
- Play Christmas carols that celebrate the gift of God, His Son Jesus. Sing (or croak as in my case!) “Joy to the world the Lord has come.”
This post is an excerpt from the November/December 2014 issue of my free e-newsletter, Thrive. Click on the image in the right sidebar on my homepage to sign up for this newsletter.
Let's Talk: How can you use one (or more) of the tips above to simplify this holiday season? (If you are an email subscriber and want to comment on the actual post, click here to visit the blog and leave a comment.)
[Tweet "5 questions to get you thinking about how to simplify this holiday season from @Choose2Grow: "][Tweet "Can you destress, declutter, and delight in the holidays? Yes, you can! 4 big ways to help: "]Happy Holidays!Love,