Trim the Fat Series Part III: Trim the Stress

I want THIS this year. Fire included.

Recent conversation betwixt me and three-year-old:

“Mommy, whys there so much stuffs in the garage?”
“Because we have a lot of stuff.” (Said ashamedly and disgustedly, by the way.)
“And we have no where to put it?”
“That’s right, we have no where to put it.” (Also said disgustedly.)
“So it goes in the garage?”
“Uh huh.” (Thought drifts to Seinfeld standup routine which references stuff that makes it to the garage never re-entering the home.)
“Mommy, why do I have two soccer balls?”
“Because we couldn’t find the first one.”
“Where is that orange one with the black? I wuv that one. Where is it?”
“Probably in the garage…” (He knew this, he was just drilling the point home that we bought a new one because we couldn’t find the first one. Thanks sweetie.)

Serenity now.

Serenity now.

The garage doesn’t just hold all our junk, it holds gobs and gobs of my stress since it is just another thing on the to-do list I can’t get to right now. And I’m stressed, Jerry. I’m stressed.

Ya know how it’s Christmastime already?

Well, it’s not, but you know how businesses are making us THINK it is?

More stress. (That’s for another post, join me Friday for that one.)

Hearing Christmas music on the radio already is giving me palpitations.

So, it’s time to focus, Christie, focus.

Time to de-stress during the most stressful time of year.

There is built-in stress to the year. Spending a lot of money, choosing the right gifts, parties, (and for us 4 BIRTHDAYS too.) Not to mention emotional stress like how there are people we are missing during the holidays, like family who lives far away (my sister) and family who are no longer with us (Grandma, I love you.)

So how do we trim the stress and make this fun?

I will tell you what I am doing. Because I cannot add to the cortisol around my midsection by adding more stress. And that’s what stress does.

• Slow down. Clear your mind, sit down, get a pen and make a list (or three like me.) Have you ever been paralyzed by the unGodly amount of stuff you have to do so you don’t know where to start and so you do NOTHING? That’s me. And if you’re like me, to-do lists will actually briefly make you more stressed out when you begin to actually physically see all of the things you must do. But don’t let that scare you. When you begin to mark them off, you will feel better. Don’t expect to build Rome in a day. Just start slowly. Reference the lists. Add as needed. It may grow before it shrinks (there’s a joke in there somewhere) but at least something will be getting done.
• Take a breather. Remember my homage to running? It doesn’t have to be running, it can be anything. But the world WILL wait, for just an hour if you need it.
• Tell people, “no.” Practice saying it now. Do it again. Make sure you add some “yesses” in there for the fun stuff so you can take a breather (and so you’re not a total scrooge), but avoid overcommitting. (YEAH RIGHT!) Seriously though, think about your sanity. Feel free to say, “no.”
• Turn off your technology. I can’t believe I said that out loud! I handle people’s social media for my new living for Pete’s sake! (I hope they’re not reading this!) Schedule Tweets and posts in advance if you can and then turn off your phone, your computer, your I-Pad, and catch up on the Modern Family episodes you missed because you were working and/or cleaning out the garage.
• Hold all home improvement projects until January! #thatisall You don’t have to do this, but I am. I will be one with my master bathroom until then.
• Learnme some yoga/meditation, even if it is used primarily in the car for on the way to and from something.
• Burst into spontaneous laughter. You might freak someone out but whatever! Laughter is contagious. LAUGH YOUR ASS OFF. For no reason whatsoever.
• Burst into spontaneous song! Lady Gaga or Christmas music. You might even spark a flash mob, who knows. But burst into song and maybe even unleash the jazz hands.(Spontaneous song often leads to spontaneous dance, especially in my house when my mom and me are cooking.) You’ll lighten everyone’s mood, including your own.
• Most important: SAVOR YOUR FAMILY. And make time to play.

No matter how long businesses try to draw out the “holiday season” by starting it earlier, the truth is, the holidays come and go so quickly. Every year I get caught up in the whirlwind and forget to savor that hot chocolate at the table before bedtime with the kids (and the marshamallows.) We never get our chimney cleared out in time to enjoy the short cold snaps here in Florida and nights in front of a fire. We sometimes put up the tree too late that we don’t get to enjoy it that long. And sometimes when I throw the Christmas dinner, I get too caught up in the cleanup to enjoy the aftermath and wonderful chitchat with my family around the table. The point is?

This year I’m going to let some things go so I can savor the good things.

What are your favorite holiday de-stressors? 

Previous Trim the Fat posts:

Trim the Fat: Trim the Toxins
Trim the Fat: Trim the Holiday Calories

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