The Holiday Hustle

Ho Ho NO, Humbug! I sat on the hard wooden bench at my local mall watching the energy swirl around. My dad and husband were doing some Christmas shopping, and not wanting to be tempted to buy anything that wasn’t on my list, I took a break and sipped on a hot chocolate hoping to feel the holiday spirit. But even the Christmas music that was piped in didn’t seem to help with the holiday cheer and instead I heard parents screaming and kids crying. One lady rushed by with her young son, “Look, I’m not happy about Christmas shopping either. Wasting money, that I don’t even have, on people who don’t even want what I give them, but I’m obligated anyhow!” She was just one of many examples that I saw and heard stressing out. By the time my husband and dad joined me I was in full blown panic mode as I seemed to absorb the energy. My neck and shoulders ached and even walking to the car I began to cry. For no personal reason. I’m sure we have all felt like that lady at one point. If you want honesty, I know I have before. When I was struggling to find money to buy gifts for my own children, only to receive the gift exchange note from their school asking for a $10 gift, and then a donation for the teacher, the Principal, the charity they had chosen and the adopted family they took on – I was a tad bit irritated. I still don’t know how I did it, but I did. But none of it was done with good intention. It was done by obligation and pressure. A friend shared with me that her 25 year old niece messaged her, “Whatever you bought my dad needs to be returned. He only wants things off his Amazon wish list and he needs to have a NICE Christmas this year!” Another client shared that her sister requested she buy all of her 20-something girls designer bags or cashmere sweaters. “I don’t have that kind of money,” she balked, “but if I don’t do it I look cheap!” So are you getting tangled up in tinsel while trying to do the Holiday Hustle and losing your cheer along the way?

Set Intentions for what your holiday looks like. And stick to it. By making a conscious decision as to what your holiday feels and looks like, and manifesting a positive experience (remember that you can set the opposite intention to) helps you gain perspective when others (like people who tell you to buy their grown kids a $300 Coach purse) have lost it.
Refocus. Even with an intention there will be a moment, or several, where someone tries to pull you into their vision. Make sure to take breaks, check in with yourself and refocus. Sometimes you need an alignment along the way, especially if you are used to allowing yourself to be pulled in different directions.
You Can’t Change the Unchanged. You cannot change your relatives, but you can change your mind-set by deciding to live in the moment and stop working yourself up over issues from the past and/or issues of the present.
Simplify. Look at what is stressing you out and what you enjoy. If you don’t love making homemade cookies, but you love wrapping gifts, maybe your friend who loves to bake, but hates to wrap, will swap chores with you. Or go to the bakery. Or don’t have any. There are always choices.
Untangle and Stop. It’s not your job to make everyone happy. You shouldn’t have to break your back and your bank account with unrealistic expectations.
Make a List. And just like Santa, check it twice. Are you buying out of obligation or because you want to? Generosity isn’t about a maxed credit card. Maybe volunteer your time or simply send a card wishing someone well.
Say NO. The ground won’t swallow you up if you do that. I promise!
Laugh. Have Fun. Play. The best gift is joy and it’s pleasantly contagious. The more that you stay connected to your happiness and your playful side, the more you connect with those doing the same, and the energy amplifies to continue the cycle.

‘We act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year we are the people we always hoped we would be.’

~Scrooged

I’m wishing YOU the most magical holiday ever without hustle or tangled tinsel. Believe, Kristy Robinett www.kristyrobinett.com