Having a happy holiday season

After a tiring year, it is at last time for a break! Yes, you have made it! But why does it feel like the break is not as amazing as you have imagined?

Throughout the year we dream of the break we will have over December and how all the drama of the past year will just melt away. We dream so much about it, that we often lose touch with reality and then the real deal is often not as glamorous and fulfilling as we have imagined. Here is a couple of tips of how to make your break unforgettable:

1. Start every day with gratitude

Over the last year I have often spoken about gratitude and the importance thereof. All my clients that practise gratitude on a daily basis will tell you that their views of what they have vs what they don’t have, have changed radically.

Over the holiday-period, start or wrap up each day reflecting on what you are grateful for and you will soon find that your constant focus on what you desire or want will fade away. Even in the toughest of times, there is something to be grateful for! The more you adopt the attitude of appreciation, the more love and happiness you will attract into your life.

2. The budget is king!

Keeping up with the Jones has become the motto of many households. However, we live in financially tough times and a constant focus on merely doing things for the show can cause a great deal of heartache when you get to January.

Start the holidays with a detailed and realistic budget. And stick to it! Your budget should not only focus on December, but also on January as your next pay cheque is most likely only arriving towards the end of January.

It is also a good idea to share your budget with your spouse/partner and kids. In so many homes the financial affairs are still a secret and the breadwinner have sleepless nights because of the in-balance between the cash inflow and the rest of the family’s expectations around the cash outflows.

I can still recall when my parents shared their budget with me for the first time: all of a sudden, I understood the limitations. I also felt pretty grown-up having this knowledge and it definitely played a role in how I planned my own finances from that day forward.

3. A good time for house rules

Ordinarily December is the time that families and friends come together. Unfortunately, you do not have the luxury to escape to the office and whether you like it or not, you are trapped in the company of family members that you were secretly hoping to avoid.

Why not set some ground rules right from the start: when will we spend time together, when will we do our own thing, how will we split the various responsibilities, how will we pay for things, etc., are just some of the matters that you need to agree upon to ensure harmonious cohabitation.

4. Eat healthy and stay fit

Yes, I know! You have stayed healthy and fit the entire year and would like a break from that routine. Keep moderation in mind and keep the balance. Should you have a huge lunch, perhaps go for a walk afterwards and make it a fun outing for the entire family. It might even be an opportunity for you to get some me-time by going for a long walk after a meal.

5. Love yourself and others

Make a habit of telling yourself each day one thing that you love about yourself. And then, also find one thing that you love in each one of the people that you spend time with. There is something good in every person and we will find it if we just take some time to focus.

To amplify this process, go and tell each person what you love about them – and stop there. The moment your next work is “but”, the compliment is worth nothing!

6. What about those who are alone during this time?

Lucky you! You have all the time in the world to sort out your admin, prepare budgets, practise gratitude, eat healthy, read and staying fit! Being alone over this time of year is not a curse; it is an amazing time to practise gratitude and install new healthy habits.

Remember, you are not the only person that is alone; in fact, there are by far more people who spend this time alone than those who spend it with family and friends. See this as an opportunity to focus on yourself and rebuild the true you. And should the me-time become too much, you can always: call a friend and ask to be included in whatever they are doing, plan an outing, pamper yourself or help others less fortunate.

In conclusion: No matter what you do over the holidays, make the best of it. Put away the self-pity and selfishness, practice gratitude for everything and everyone you have in your life and whenever possible, lend a helping hand to those less fortunate.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blogs over the last year. I wish you all a wonderful time!