The holidays are a joyous, animated, warm-spirited seasonal event that can be stressful, unpleasant, or a chore depending on your head space. We’re caught between deadlines, beating the lines to complete gift shopping, and planning fantastic holiday get-togethers that can leave you more exhausted than revitalized.
Here are some #SITIGirl tips for surviving the holiday season and being intentional about cultivating a memorable holiday season.
Preplan Your Social Calendar
One thing about the holidays is that there will be ample opportunity to be festive and fellowship with great people. So much so that sometimes we overcommit and wear out our social batteries. The key to enjoying the holidays and not spreading thin is to preplan your social calendar and stick to the plan. Make a list of the holiday events that are consistently planned, the ones that are one-offs, and others that you would like to try.
Next, choose three solid choices and a possible, like you’re bidding spades books. Choose get-togethers where you intentionally surround yourself with people and an environment that uplift and engages you. This strategy will help you maximize your holiday party time without wearing out your battery and leaves room for personal adventures.
Share the Spirit of Giving
It’s easy to get tied down in the season’s hustle and lose sight of the important things. The holidays are filled with warm spirits, good cheer, and a sense of compassion that resonates widely. To survive the holidays, it’s vital to tap into that feeling and do good for others. The winter and the holidays can be challenging for those less fortunate, the unhoused, and many others who have to tough out the season. To change how you navigate the season, look for an effort to give back to your community. You can give to a donation drive or start one among your friends and family to help a local charity or service. However, if you give back this season, make sure that it leaves an impact and sets the tone for the following year.
Deck the Halls and Your Ensembles
Living in tropical bliss makes it a little harder to feel “in the spirit” when your landscape is not the typical winter wonderland. Living in a winter wonderland is not all it is cracked up to be; it’s easy to feel melancholy or combat bouts of seasonal depression when you’re stuck in the cold without anything green. Nevertheless, dressing the part can help you survive the holidays. Adding festive colors and seasonal metallics to your wardrobe sets the tone for a fabulous holiday. Color and fashion themes that fit our personality give us confidence and help us feel our best, even if we’re not in the matching seasonal environment. Consider adding a festive pop to your look when dressing for work or a holiday outing.
Be First on Your List
It is incredibly easy to put yourself last on the list during the holidays, especially since it’s the season of giving. But, you cannot be fully present for anyone if you are not present for yourself first. The most vital tip for surviving the holiday season is to put yourself first, including on the gift list. Prioritizing self-care or getting yourself a personal gift to lift your spirits can set the trajectory of your entire holiday. Do not neglect yourself in hopes that someone else will take care of it. Give yourself the gift of self-love and see how that opens up a holiday of warmth and caring for everyone else.
A Siti Girl’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays