November and December beg for more: more time, more energy and more money. But what if you flipped that script, giving greater priority to the things that truly matter rather than simply adding to the holiday stress? What if you deliberately removed something, declined something or said no to something to create room for your own wellbeing or that of others? Here’s how a 10-minute investment can purposefully shape your holiday season.
Step One: See What’s Coming
Physically write down everything you’ll need to think about and plan for over the next two months: gifts, travel, school, sports, food. It’s okay if the list is long. There are no wrong answers, and honesty goes a long way here. If you feel overwhelmed, stop and come back to it. The purpose of listing it all is to uncover where space exists.
Step Two: Simplify your Holiday Vitals
Does everything on your list deserve all of you, all the time? It does not. Choose the five people, priorities, or experiences that deserve your best. Especially for November and Thanksgiving, use gratitude as a filter to help you decide where to invest your energy. Thinking through the lens of who or what you are genuinely grateful for may help narrow the scope.
Step Three: Amplify your Holiday
You’ve intentionally chosen your vitals, so let’s amplify them. Decide how you’ll give each the attention it deserves, but for those vitals for which you feel gratitude, think about what you can give that can't be bought. For example, if you're grateful for someone on your list, give them your undivided attention. If you're grateful for your community, give it your involvement.
The healthiest thing you might add to your life this holiday season is a bit of purpose. By making room for what matters and choosing where your energy goes, you can give more of yourself to the people, places and experiences you're most grateful for.
About the Author
Clay Brizendine, a health and wellness coach and personal trainer, roots his work with individuals and organizations in his "Simplify to Amplify" approach: giving extraordinary time and attention to the few truly important things in your life leads to greater fulfillment. He and his family call Madeira home. ClayBrizendine.com | Instagram @OurTrainingLab