3 Ways to be Intentional during the Holiday Season
Aaaah the holiday season…. how sweet it is! It is a beautiful time of year. Music playing through the air. Picture perfect decorations outfit windows everywhere you go. An increased number of giggles can be heard as children get more and more excited with each passing day.
But there’s also the stress of the holiday meal. Aw man, I didn’t get the outfits for the Christmas pictures yet. And what about all of those parties? And who’s even thought about Christmas shopping? Wait — I signed up for a secret Santa gift exchange too? How am I going to do it all?
As beautiful as this time of year is, instead of joy and excitement many experience angst, stress and a great sense of overwhelm. Instead of being able to just BE and enjoy the holiday season, our days are filled with running from one task to the next DOING something. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. That’s one of the fastest ways that you can get to burn out.
PACE YOURSELF DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
As wives and mothers, we have a natural tendency to feel like we have to be the resident expert at whatever we put our hands to. If our children are active in sports, we jump in as the team mom. Or the one who organizes the socials, orders the uniforms and plans a party for the team, coach and the families. Sometimes we are the mom that will teach art or science in the homeschool co-op. We will also be the mom that drives 4 girls to gymnastics practice while helping our preschooler with sight words and making our grocery list. We don’t have to do this.
During the holiday season, multiply the number of “obligations” by 10. But as much as there is that’s happening, it’s even more important that you take time for the things and people that matter most. Rather than thinking about the next thing that I have to do, I choose to be intentional about being present and focus on making memories with my family. You know what I have found when I do this? I actually ENJOY it.
The time you spend with your children each day doesn’t have to be scripted or scheduled. Instead, family time can take place intentionally in many different ways during ordinary interactions between parents and children, whether it’s rocking a baby to sleep or driving a teenager to the mall. Even in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, you can make moments that matter.
It is my heart's desire to see women walk in their true power and authority in Jesus Christ. I get the honor of walking that out in my writing, speaking and everyday life.
With a cold latte in hand and my latest read under my arm, I'm usually seen going over math facts, checking out a new STEM project and studying God's Word. In my spare time, you will catch me spending time with family and friends, at live music festivals and on the hunt for a new favorite dessert.
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Hi, thanks for linking up with us at the #LMMLIjnkup this past week. I selected your post as the most clicked.
I think it’s important to remember that we don’t have to be Martha Stewart to have a happy holiday ;). We don’t need the decorations (but a few simple ones are nice), we don’t need a mountain of Christmas cookies (unless we plan to give them away), and we don’t need lots of parties–we just need to reach out and love those around us and treat each other tenderly.
I love that thought: “moments that matter.” My pace has slowed down because of chronic illness, and yet it’s still so important for me to be intentional to look for those moments that matter. Jesus meets us in those moments! Thank you so much for these good thoughts.
You are right when you say that we don’t have to do all the things. When my kids were still in school, I got very good at saying no. It didn’t make me popular with all the other super busy moms, though. It’s so much more important to spend any time you can with them instead of doing things for them. Great thoughts!