What does it mean to live with intention during the holiday season? For many, myself included, it means nearly the opposite of this:
A jam-packed schedule of holiday parties and family gatherings?
Non-stop whirlwind of gift-giving, cooking, and hosting?
Holiday decorating to a level of exhaustion only rivaled by the fatigue you feel after dismantling everything a few weeks later?
Overeating and over drinking as a way of being merry?
That type of experience might start off fun and exciting but it can quickly result in overwhelm. We are at the midpoint of December. There is still time to course correct.
A gentle invitation to pause
Intentional living, the conscious pursuit of living in alignment with our core values and beliefs, is foundational to living well. And it’s essential during the holidays.
Consider the following questions:
1) Is there a simpler, less overwhelming way to be during this time?
2) Who am I doing this for? Am I doing things because I want to or because I’m afraid of letting someone else down?
3) What matters most to me and my loved ones? What would be simple and beautiful?
4) When I reflect back on the holidays, what memories and feelings would I like to take with me?
Take a more intentional approach to create a holiday season that you don’t need to recover from mentally, spiritually or financially.
Thinking ahead, with intention…
Wouldn’t you like to show up on January 1st feeling renewed and recharged versus feeling like you just ran a marathon?
Reverse engineer the holidays from there. It takes conscious effort every day to live well, and the holidays are no different.
Resources to help you live with intention
On my blog, Set Boundaries to Avoid Burnout in Business
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and Janet Mills
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer
Rest Deck: 50 Practices to Resist Grind Culture by Tricia Hersey
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How will you live with intention this holiday season?
