Busy head, busy journal

Why you need to make your journal your best friend this time of year

As the calendar moves around to the final month of the year, the pressure ramps up for many of us. We feel a secret force imploring us to make this time of year perfect for our loved ones, to make memories, to have the perfect home and be the perfect host.

The majority of seasonal preparation often still falls to women, who, let’s be honest, already have enough on usually. Social media has just amplified this pressure, now we see families in matching pyjamas with perfectly curated Christmas decorations and elves who magically move around the house and if we aren’t careful we buy into all of it, believing that that is what makes Christmas special.

In reality, what our loved ones want most at this time of year is time with us and for us to be happy and relaxed.

Sorting through the noise

How can we filter out all the unnecessary noise and work out what is really important for us?

It won’t surprise you to know that I recommend journalling. Journalling is the perfect way to work out what is really important to you at this time of year.

Try a prompt such as:

The things that mean most to me at this time of year is…

What makes me really happy at this time of year is…

I wouldn’t feel truly festive without…

The things I can do without at this time of year are…

I have no energy for…

My essentials list

For me there are a few essentials at this time of year, but they aren’t elaborate or expensive things. They are traditions, things which bring back the memories of childhood festivities.

Here are my essentials (in no particular order):

• Clementines (just the smell makes me feel festive)

• Time with loved ones

• An advent calendar (mine is a very simple 70s style calendar, no chocolate for me)

• Christmas films (“It’s a Wonderful Life”, “The Holiday”, “Muppets Christmas Carol” and “Santa Claus the Movie” are my non-negotiable films)

• Candles

• Baking (it doesn’t matter what I bake, but I have to do some baking at this time of year)

• Nutmeg in my hot drinks (I’m allergic to cinnamon, otherwise that would be my spice of choice).

• Twinkly lights (warm white for preference, but any will do)

What are your essentials for a cosy festive season?

When life gets busy

Often when life gets really busy we neglect all the things which support our health (physical and mental). Time feels limited so we stop taking time to exercise, we don’t eat as well as usual, our sleep is all over the place and we don’t make time for activities like journalling and meditation.

In reality, we need these crutches more than ever at this time of year. We convince ourselves that we don’t have time, but in reality we prioritise rest over the things which really make a difference. We will sit and eat sweets in front of a festive film rather than going for a walk. We choose hitting the snooze button over ten minutes of meditation or journalling.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying, don’t spend time watching all those festive favourites. I’m definitely not saying don’t rest or get enough sleep. But sometimes we need a nudge to make the right choice. It is proven that hitting the snooze button makes you feel worse, so get up when your alarm goes off and use that time to journal, meditate or just sit with a quiet cuppa before the day begins. Go for a walk in nature with the family sometimes instead of putting a film on, or just find some healthy snacks that you can enjoy while you watch together.

Why not go foraging for some greenery to decorate the house. That way you will be getting fresh air, exercise and contributing to your cosy home feeling too. You’ll feel better for it and you’ll find you actually have more energy as a result, not less.

Don’t get me wrong, I know that lots of people are energised by this kind of preparation. I have friend who love everything festive and who can’t wait to start decorating, shopping, cooking, crafting etc. But if you aren’t one of those people, please don’t feel pressured into pretending be one.

What little change can you make this December to make the festive period truly joyful, and enjoyable for everyone, including you?

Hello, I’m Kate - author, writing coach, journal therapist and mum, based in the Stafford, UK. You can receive my weekly writing tips and updates, wellbeing reminders and the general life ramblings of a menopausal writer, by subscribing for free. If you would like to support my writing and get more content, my paid community get all that, and access to exclusive members only posts, special seasonal content, a powerful meditation to support your writing, and juicy personal insights.

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