Stop and Smell the HOLIDAYS!!

Have you taken the time to sit down and plan out your Holiday season? 

I'm not talking about an uber-structured work schedule.   I mean your PLAY schedule!   Especially for those of you who have chosen to work in retail like I have.   Or those of you in health care or any other 'we never close' profession.

If you've worked this type of job at Christmas,  even for just a few years,  you know what I'm talking about.   You can plow through each day at 100 mph and wake up on January 2nd,  only to realize that you missed the whole thing!  And believe me it is very easy to let that happen! 

So here is what I suggest.   Take an hour or so now.   Yes,  I mean right now.   Give yourself a Barnes & Noble moment with your planner,  your thoughts, and a great beverage.  Starting with today's date,  write in your work schedule,  then look at each day and find places in your schedule to carve out time to enjoy the Holidays!  It can be difficult to plan entire days at a time for holiday merriment,  when all you want to do is be off of your feet,  so let me make this easy!  

1.  Make sure you have the appropriate coffee,  tea,  champagne,  wine,  etc already in your home.   Maybe you can send someone to run that errand for you?  Just a thought.

2.  Look at the days when you are working.   Do you work a late shift?   Then plan a breakfast with your family or a friend before you go in.   You'll feel Christmasy all day!

3.  Are you working early?   How much time do you get for lunch?   Get a coffee and go for a walk around your mall or shopping center.   Bundle up and enjoy the decorations! 

4.  Turn your Christmas tree lights on the second you get home!   Even before taking your shoes off!   If you're by yourself,  fix your dinner and drink and enjoy it while sitting by the tree!   And play some music that you love!  

5.  Set aside a few hours to wrap your presents all at once!    Be sure all of your supplies, boxes,  wrapping paper,  bags,  tape,  etc are right where you need them.   Pour yourself a drink,  put on some Christmas music or watch some holiday TV and wrap away!   I was surprised at how much fun I had wrapping gifts while enjoying a little bubbly!

6.  Wear Christmas pajamas all season!   I get myself some new ones every year.   Sometimes dressy and sometimes tacky,  but always comfy and warm.   Soft fuzzy slippers are also essential!

7.  Are you and your partner passing each other in the hallway working opposite schedules?   Plan 20 minutes or so when you can sit by the tree together and just talk!   No agenda,  just a chat with the person you are closest to.   

8.  Take a bubble bath rather than a quick shower.   Yes,  hour long bubble baths are exquisite,  but the 10 minute ones are great too!  Give yourself that little gift!

9.  Take all the beautiful little time outs that you possibly can!   Even if it's 5, 10, or 15 minutes here and there.  Those little bits of time are very important!

10.  The most important step of all,,,
SCHEDULE EVERYTHING THAT YOU POSSIBLY CAN!  Write it into your planner.  Keep your planner with you at all times.  (Coaching moment:  there is no excuse to not have your calendar,  planner,  schedule with you unless you're on a hot date with Brad Pitt)  You need your planner with you to know where you're going next.  Especially during the Holidays.

These scheduled joyful moments are essential to our happiness - and mental health - this time of year.   Do what you can to find and enjoy every moment of the Holiday Season.  On January 2nd,  you'll thank me!

Merry Christmas to you,  my friend!

Love, 
Donna