The countdowns have begun. Four days till Christmas; three days till Christmas Eve; one more day of work before J and I take a step back from our usual lives to spend some time with family. The gifts are all bought and mostly wrapped; the Christmas cards are finally sent; the packing lists are in progress. And despite the fact that I’m not technically behind on anything, I’ve been feeling the stress.
Fortunately, there are a few antidotes, mostly my usual lifesavers: time on the couch with a hot drink or a book; a wee bit of knitting (or even yarn-winding); some let-it-all-out journaling sessions. Homemade soup; flickering candles; holiday episodes of Friends (we wrapped presents the other night while cracking up at the Holiday Armadillo).
Two favorite antidotes to stress: twinkle lights and a holiday movie.
One new antidote for me this year is Marianne Elliott’s series of “peace offering” emails. She’s been sending one a day for the last month, and they’ve encouraged me to stop and take a deep breath (or several) amid the encroaching holiday frenzy. (I love this time of year, but it does get hectic.)
I confess I haven’t taken up daily meditation or pranayama breathing, both of which she recommends – but I have been reminded to relax, breathe deeply, be kind (to others and myself), practice gratitude, and get some sleep. And most importantly: to do what I can do, and let it be enough.
Taking a deep breath
This is key for me, as an overachiever, a list-maker, a people-pleaser and a woman – we are always trying to do more, accomplish more, give more, be more. And it has been so helpful for me to limit the size of my to-do list – sometimes to choose two priorities, as Sarah suggested recently, and other times to simply do what I have time or energy for, and let the rest go. And – this is the secret – not to beat myself up over it later. To decide that whatever I can do – whatever I can be – is not inadequate or imperfect or lacking, but enough.
As we head toward the weekend of Christmas, I hope you, too, can find a way to do what you can, let the rest go – and let it be enough.
cakes, tea and dreams 
Oh Katie,
I LOVE this! Thanks for the reminder. I’m breathing sighs of relief and knowing that what I’ve done is enough. Thanks for taking some unnecessary feelings of burden off my shoulders.
Beautiful post, Katie. I love your phrasing: and let it be enough, indeed. (Also, the snow looks lovely on your site!)
I’m so ready for a holiday movie. Kristina isn’t home yet (not until Friday – ack) and I’ve been waiting for her. I may need to get out the Charlie Brown tonight. I can certainly watch it twice in one season, even though all my conditioning says it is only on once. (D’oh. We have the DVD.)
Love this. With a baby in the house, “to do what I can do, and let it be enough” is the key to keep up sanity.
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