So far, I have loved this exercise and it has reminded me that the only day we are guaranteed is the one we are living today, so it makes sense to make the very best of it. The act of choosing something sparkly to wear in the morning has given me a little moment of mindfulness every day, a moment to shift my focus onto the day ahead instead of my usual habit of dressing without thinking, grabbing a coffee and diving out of the door. As an extra bonus, I have been reminded not to waste time keeping things for that special occasion which might come along every twelve months.
At this time of year when we are all rushing around trying to prepare for and host the ‘perfect’ Christmas many of us judge ourselves so harshly. We don’t think we are achieving what we believe others are as we compare our own efforts with those glossy images we see on Facebook believing that what people post is an accurate reflection of their real lives.
We convince ourselves that the meal on our dinner table doesn’t look like the festive spread in that glossy magazine or that our family doesn’t resemble that well turned out, smiley family in those television adverts.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could just be kind to ourselves? Remember the last time you felt grumpy and put upon and cast your mind back to the impact those feelings had on all those around you. Now, picture an image of the ‘good enough’ Christmas when everyone gets the chance to relax and enjoy the company of friends and loved ones. When the Christmas dinner is delicious because it was a shared effort and all the pressure wasn’t heaped on just one person.
In a perfect world, we’d all be going into Christmas having enjoyed listening to carols on the radio before popping out for a relaxed browse around the shops to soak up the festive atmosphere and ambling home to watch a seasonal film curled up on the sofa with a hot chocolate or a box of delicious treats. However, here in the real world, the reality for most of us is that we are tired and stressed and just want to STOP!
So, start by taking a deep breath and letting go of the quest for perfection and embracing reality. Let’s all accept that none of us stepped out of a photo shoot and that Christmas dinner will be great if we are lucky enough to share it with people we love and who love us, it really doesn’t get more perfect than that.
For myself, I am taking the time to stop all the rushing around and reflect on the year we are just about to leave with all its bustle and upheaval. I’m going to do my bit to brighten up my little corner of the world with a daily sparkle and, who knows, maybe I’ll carry this new habit on throughout 2019.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my lovely family and friends for all their ongoing love and support. I also want to thank everyone I have had the honour of working with this year. As always, it has been an honour and I wish you all a happy and restful Christmas however you choose to spend it.
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Don't agonise, orrganise!