I was recently asked; how do I get organized for the holiday season?
Love this question.
Why?
Because I’m a list maker and I hate waiting till the last minute.
Why?
Because I’m obsessed with the idea of being organized.
I’m also an artist at heart, so give me a supply of colored highlighters and I go to town highlighting completed tasks.
My list making/chore tracker instrument of choice is a bullet journal.
In my journal, I’ll create a page for the occasion, and anything attached to that occasion.
Let’s use Christmas as the example.
The Christmas page will have everything I need to do associated with it.
Book travel plans for the kids coming home from college?
Presents to purchase?
Menus to plan?
Wrapping supplies?
Cards to write and send?
Tree up and decorated?
Wreath for the front door?
I’ll jot things down on this page as they pop into my head.
All things, all in one place.
There’s so much satisfaction every time I highlight something off the list.
What do I do to make sure I’m taking care of myself during the busiest time of the year?
As a mother, wife and working professional who celebrates both Chanukah and Christmas, it can get busy.
I’m a firm believer in self-care, you put your oxygen mask on first and then help others.
I have a 12 step to self-care printout pinned to my wall at work that I use every day to check in on myself.
1. If it feels wrong, don’t do it (read Glennon Doyle Melton’s book – Love Warrior)
2. Say exactly what you mean (read Julie Reisler’s book – A PHD in you)
3. Don’t be a people pleaser (this is hard for so many women)
4. Trust your instincts (read Danielle Laporte’s book – Firestarter Sessions)
5. Never speak bad about yourself (read Brene Brown’s book – Rising Strong)
6. Never give up on your dreams (read Elizabeth Gilberts book - Big Magic)
7. Don’t be afraid to say no (read James Altucher’s book – The Power of No)
8. Don’t be afraid to say yes (read Shonda Rhimes book – A year of Yes)
9. Be kind to yourself (read Cheryl Richardson’s book – Waking up in Winter)
10. Let go of what you can’t control (read Michael Singers book – The Surrender Experiment)
11. Stay away from negativity (read Barbara Fredrickson’s book – Positivity)
12. LOVE (read Marianne Willianson’s book – A Return to Love)