Some evil person posted this Elf meme on their Facebook feed the other day and I wanted to unfriend them but they are related to me and I like them.
Unfriending people can add additional stress at the holidays, and this article is all about holiday de-stressing.
In keeping with the 12 Days of Christmas, I am proposing 12 Steps to De-stress for the Holidays:
Step 1: To begin take a deep cleansing breath.
Step 2: After you remember to start breathing again, I want you to say these words, “Happiness is the greatest gift I can give. A stressed out me does not make a holiday happy. I will not add unhappiness to my holidays.”
See. Don’t you feel better?
Step 3: Write down one gift you will give yourself. (This does not have to be a material thing.)
Step 4: Make a list of all the other people for whom you want and/or need to get gifts. (These do not have to be material things.)
Step 5: Make a calendar of all events you KNOW will absolutely be on your agenda.
Step 6: Repeat Steps 1 & 2.
Step 7: Establish a budget.
- How much will you spend on each person?
- How much do you plan to give to your church or charities?
- How much should you plan to spend on extra party foods and drinks?
- How much are your travel costs?
Add those costs up.
Step 8: Repeat Steps 1 & 2. Continue reading “Start Holiday De-Stressing Now”