This holiday season, I am on a mission.
The Assignment: Weed out the expectations that make fun things NOT FUN.
I was scrolling through my calendar this morning, adding a dental appointment and a couple of new Christmas plans. Almost immediately, I felt the all-too-familiar dread of the holiday chaos set in. Almost as quickly, it occurred to me - dental work aside - every entry was a fun thing! A FUN thing. (One more time for those in the back (and Marjorie, the stubborn voice in my head): A. FUN. THING.
Let's pause for a moment and let Merriam-Webster have the floor:
FUN:
noun: what provides amusement or enjoyment: a mood for finding or making amusement
verb: to indulge in banter or play
Take a look at your calendar and remove all of the logistics from the equation.
Thanksgiving Farmer's Market
Big boisterous family meals
Football cookouts
Tree trimming parties
Family night at the movies
Travel to Atlanta and NYC for Christmas and birthday shenanigans
Drop-ins and Happy Hours with local friends and family.
And the list goes on and on!
Here is the reality of the list above and any version of yours: (Focus, this is really important)
It is ALL fun. Webster says so.
Why do we allow the expectations of others, the need for everything to be perfect, and the pressure of buying "the BEST gift" to suck all of the joy out of what is arguably the most celebratory 8 weeks of the year?
As for me, "Mission Accepted."
I am committed to gatekeeping the hell out of my joy this season. Who's with me?
If you're in, take a moment to peruse our Letting Fun Things Be Fun mission pledges:
We will only accept social invites to which our response is "Hell. Yes."
We will make every effort to say NO to anything we don't want to do. We understand we do not have to attend just because we are invited. (Shocking, I know.)
If we must go to an obligatory non-fun event, we will devise a polite, timely, and fool-proof exit strategy prior to said event.
When anxiety attempts an attack, we will pause, take three deep breaths (One likely won't do it.), close our eyes, and focus on the reality of the calendar. (For example, I will see my niece and nephews, cook and play games with my kids, experience Broadway at Christmas, gaze at twinkle lights, watch Hallmark movies, and drink mulled wine. Also known as, you guessed it, Fun.)
We will build in small pockets of time throughout the next two months for "Me Time" to ensure mental fatigue doesn't infiltrate and weaken our resolve.
Every morning, we will tell ourselves, out loud, looking in the mirror, "I freaking get to decide, and I choose to find joy and fun in this fabulously playful time of year."
What can you say "No" to? What are you overcomplicating for appearance's sake? What are you NOT doing that you really want to? Do you take time to take care of yourself? Are you ready to embrace the fact that you get to control the majority of your holiday bliss?? Let's go!
Now that we understand the assignment and have a plan of action let’s head into this holiday season armed with joy and badass intention.
Mission Let Fun Things Be Fun: Accomplished.
This blog is a personal collection of my thoughts, wins, losses, memories, and crossroad moments. Almost all of which were hashed out around my kitchen counter and in my journals. If any of it resonates with you and you are ready to empower your inner badass and move into your Next with confidence, I can help. It’s time… Click the link and Let’s chat.
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