Christmas in our house these days is quite a quiet affair - we have a couple of visitors in the morning but they don't stick around long, after which it's just me and Mum now for most of the day. It's nice in a way to not have to rush around and entertain, but truth be told, I've always sort of wanted one of those huge families that all gather together, chip in with preparing dinner and spend the morning exchanging gifts - the type that dress up all fancy and that don't spend the day in leggings and the cosiest jumper in their wardrobe.
I know this year is going to be tough, but I also know I have to stand firm and not allow myself to fall foul to getting emotional/reminiscing about how happy things were last year - it would only lead to me saying something I would regret. Truth be told, it doesn't really feel like Christmas either - these last couple of months have flown by so quickly, they feel more like a couple of weeks.
And so, in short - I thought I'd write this post to a) keep my itchy fingers busy and to b) try to help anyone else who is feeling a little 'meh' like I am this festive period.
I find the best thing to do at times like this - the best way to 'cope' - is to make a list (if you know me, you'll already know this is often the way I like to deal with things :') ) The list should contain anything positive that you can focus on in order to help you get through the day, and also anything that can help keep you calm and stop you from overthinking. Hence, I thought I would share a few of the things that I have found myself jotting down in the hope that they might aid any others amongst you that are finding it hard;
- Zone out - put that phone away and stay away from social media. Whip out the old polaroid instead of spending your time hoping to hear off certain people and comparing your Christmas Day to other's online. Make some new memories - even if they are just of the littlest of little things.
- Distractions - take some time to read a couple of chapters of your book, shop the sales, watch some feel good films whilst chomping down on your favorite Quality Street (strawberry cream FYI) and finally - cuddle dem dawgies.
- Relax - a long post dinner wander up the mountain awaits me, followed by a Lush bath with my name on it. Taking ten minutes to meditate, or something else I also like to do - read something comforting/inspirational (I have tonnes of this sort of thing saved to my reading list - packed with self assuring stuff about how best to deal with things in order to achieve the outcome you're after/how best to avoid situations that are likely to trigger negative reactions) over and over again, somehow manages to make me feel more in control.
- Focus on the positive - for me, and I think for a lot of people, the thought of a new year and a fresh start always helps. Personally, all my energy at the moment is going into making my new place the cosiest cubbyhole possible and towards a couple of exciting writing opportunities that have come my way recently. The two combined have proven to be enough of a target to aim for without thinking too much about what other good things might follow as a result of trying so much harder to be the more 'outgoing' Sarah I have long aspired to be.
Sarah x
