The Calm Before The Storm

How to avoid the Christmas burnout.

Photo by Georg Eiermann on Unsplash

This morning I watched my husband leave for work, in the dark, pushing his way through the soggy, limp Halloween decorations that had been left outside all night. A last HOOZAR to the spooky party of October 31st.

I hadn’t brought them in as we fell through the door after nearly TWO hours of trick or treating. Buckets filled to the brim with sweets they will never make their way through but are already making plans as to which ones they are going to devour first.

Our Halloween decorations have been up since October 15th (don’t ask me why, I have no idea!) and are more than ready to come down today.

It is the 1st November.

We blinked and October is over already. And I can feel ourselves hurtling our way towards the busiest time of year, in a mixture of excitement, worry and stress.

Every year, I vow to be more organised and every year, you’ve guessed it, I am not. But this really will be the year that all changes. 2022. The new, organised me who refuses to be burnt out during my favourite month. I’ve waited all year for this and don’t want to be let down by my own exhausted body.

Luckily, an email landed in my inbox this morning from the ever gorgeous Lauren McDermott. Don’t receive her emails? Sign up now.

It was that welcomed breath of fresh air, a reminder in my busy mind, to slow down and embrace the month before December hits us. How can we be using November wisely to help us avoid burnout come Christmas Eve?

Ways to avoid burnout:

First up, I’m going back to the lists I made in October, one night when I couldn’t get to sleep. They are the limp attempts at Christmas present lists. A header for each family member I need to buy for, with a few ideas jotted down. Time to start ordering, making and buying presents now to avoid a big spend in December. Plus, do we trust the postal service at the moment? Best to avoid last minute stresses of wayward gifts and order in plenty of time.

There are a few gifts already stashed under our bed: we have three children with varying interests and if I don’t start early I will never be ready in time.

Secondly, I am going to make this the month I master the art of delegation. The last time I checked there are two parents living in this house, so why should it always be left up to me to make sure all the preparations are in place? I am going to ambush my husband one evening this week, armed with his favourite beer and a “to do” list. Bet he’s glad he married me…

Next up, Christmas cards. I know I could make my life a whole lot easier and just not send them, as I know so many people don’t bother anymore. However, the trouble is, I enjoy receiving Christmas cards and to receive you need to give. Plus I quite like the tradition of sitting down with a list of names, Christmas stamps at the ready. It becomes quite a reflective time also, as I note the names that are no longer on that list. It gets shorter each year.

Photo by Sarah Kilian on Unsplash

And finally…

Take things slowly.

I saw a helpful video once about how we are always rushing around. Running up the stairs, is it always necessary? Most of the time yes, as we are heading out the door and someone has forgotten to put their socks on. But other times, perhaps no. I slow down my pace and walk up the stairs instead of running when it isn’t needed.

The same goes for the Christmas prep. Instead of franticly wrapping presents in a whirlwind of paper and sticky tape, I plan to take my time. Perhaps a couple of hours one evening a week between now and Christmas, a glass of wine and nibbles to hand. If my husband isn’t looking I may even sneak on a Christmas film.

So as we nudge our way ever closer towards the end of the year, I am going to be following these top tips to avoid burnout. I am already knackered, teetering on the edge and need to be pulled back in slightly.

I LOVE this time of year so really don’t want to lose sight of the joy and excitement it brings. Do you?

How are you embracing November and preparing for the busy weeks that lie ahead?