How To Reduce The Overwhelm In The Festive Season.
The festive season arrives every year, with it's not so subtle attempt to make us feel like we should be doing all the things, and buying all of the things. It can leave us feeling somewhat powerless, and very much under pressure- if we allow it to.
As much as I love organising and doing fun stuff, it can still get very overwhelming. Why? Yes partly because I am neurodivergent, but mainly because of my people pleasing tendencies. If you are overwhelmed about the festive season, it is probably because you are taking on too much, taking on the out of alignment tasks/events, or feeling like you need to say yes to family/friends/bosses etc. But instead, what you are really doing is saying no to yourself and your needs. So of course you are going to feel quite overwhelmed.
Read on for my tips on how to reduce the overwhelm in the festive season.
I also have a special resource for helping you to plan your festive season or event at the end. 🎁
Tip #1 - You can say "No."
You don't have to say yes to every invite and event. Decide which event holds meaning for you, and say yes to those ones. However, I do understand that there may be some events that you must attend that you would rather say no to, but instead consider ways of leaving earlier, or if there is someone that you want to avoid at an event, consider ways of having little contact with them as possible. It is ok to leave an event or to walk away from a person, if they make you feel uncomfortable. The festive season is about joy and fun. If you aren't feeling it, you aren't feeling it. Energy and time spending, is just as important as money spending.
Tip #2 - Transfer all of the events & appointments onto a calendar.
Write it all down on a calendar. This will help to avoid double booking events and/or forgetting events. Your household can refer to it as well. It will give you an indicator of how busy you are, and where perhaps you can reel back on overdoing it.
"Energy and time spending, is just as important as money spending."
I like to use a written planner, a planning app and a wall calendar. Each have their benefits. Use the tool that you find the most helpful. Adding notifications to digital calendars will help you to remember appointments and events.
Tip #3 - Write down a master to do list.
Brain dump all of the tasks that you need to do for the festive season. Then review the list and determine when the tasks need to be actioned, then transfer them into specific dates in your diary, so that you know when to action them. It is also important to determine if you can delegate any of the tasks, or potentially deleting any that seem unnecessary. It is a great idea to set phone reminders as well.
Tip #4 - Create a budget.
Create a festive season budget for each area of the season. This way you will know what you can afford without going into debt. It also sets clear boundaries for what you are willing to realistically spend.
REMINDER: You don't have to buy people expensive gifts. Thoughtful gifts that are made or purchased affordably, are better than unthoughtful expensive gifts.
Tip #5 - Suggest a 'Secret Santa' for gifts.
If you are a part of many large social circles and/or families, suggest to have a Secret Santa (or Kris Kringle- same thing). That way, you are only buying one gift per circle. For my side of the family we usually do a limit of $100. We each provide a wish list of 5 items in a group chat for the ‘Secret Santa’ to choose from and we also add a funny gift as well (included in the cost). For my hubby's side we usually do a sustainably sourced/thrifted Secret Santa with the limit being $50-$100. Here are two ways to do a Secret Santa:
OPTION ONE:
Set a limit- everyone purchases a funny or useful gift to contribute.
On the day of the celebrations, the person who sits on the chair with the star underneath goes first at choosing from the gift pile. They can't open the gift just yet.
Then the person on the left side chooses to either steal the unwrapped gift from the first person or take from the gift pile.
Then the next person chooses to either steal from someone else or from the gift pile.
Then so on and so on.
At the end, everyone has a gift to open.
OPTION TWO:
Everyone draws a name out of a hat (a gift wish list can be added with names), and tries to keep who they have a secret.
A price limit and/or theme is set.
You buy for the person you drew.
The gifts are handed out on the day of celebration.
Everyone has to guess who was their 'Secret Santa'.
Tip #6 - Less is more.
Less is certainly more when it comes to reducing overwhelm. Here are some ways to apply this method:
If the thought of something overwhelms you, delegate it to someone more eager and/or capable. Or consider even if it really needs doing.
If you don't want to buy too many gifts, suggest having a Secret Santa, or make or bake something as gifts. Remember, you don't have to buy everyone you know a gift. If someone gets you a gift and you didn't get them one, you can either accept gracefully, and get them a gift in return, or just accept it gracefully. You don't have to give gift givers something in return. Most people love the feeling of giving a gift.
There is nothing wrong with arranging for catering for your event. The less you have to do, the more time you have to enjoy!
Tip #7 - Use my Festive Season Planner.
To help you out with the planning, I have created a Festive Season Planner. Find out more details by clicking on the link below:
Thank you for reading. I hope that this blog post has inspired you to reduce some tasks and expectations that do not align with your heart for whichever festive season that you find yourself in.
Stay true to you, and abundance will follow.
Cassie xo
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