The year of 2019 is coming to a close. We are smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, since it begins the day after Halloween (says every retail store in the States). The hustle and bustle of this magical season is upon us and I enjoy it all. The family and friend get togethers, all the baking, and the opportunity to get cozy under a blanket with a hot drink and a good book or a Christmas movie.
Sometimes it’s easy to let other things slide in my life with all the ‘extra’ things happening in November and December. Instead of making excuses this year, I want to finish strong and continue some habits I have been working on the past year and especially the past three months since Kevin and I do quarterly goals. I whole heartedly believe when I take care of myself, I am better able to take care of the ones I love.
For the next 6 1/2 weeks, I am going to continue to try and get more reading in. In this season, it’s been difficult for me to find time to read, but I discovered a big chunk of time while nursing Jack. Now nursing time is reading time. I want to continue my reading habit these last days of 2019. Another habit I want to continue is moving my body. For the next six weeks I want to move my body at least four times a week. I always feel good after a workout and I will feel better about eating the pie and mashed potatoes if I’m consistently moving my body during these holiday months.
There are lots of goals or habits anyone could implement or continue these next few months to not only finish 2019 strong, but make the holiday season a little more enjoyable. Here are a few more ways to finish strong.
Have a Morning Routine
Morning routines have helped me start the day well these past few years. Instead of being woken by my babes, I wake up before them to shower, workout, and have some devotional time. Right now it is pretty bare bones since I have a three month old, but in the past I have also gotten in some writing time and a cup of decaf coffee.
When life is full, a morning routine guarantees I can get the things in I really want to everyday.
Meal Plan
This season is chalk full of good things and sometimes it’s easy to let meal planning get put on the back burner. I always find if I meal plan for the week ahead, I feel less crazy and more in control as the week progresses. I’m also not scrambling every night around 5:00. Meal planning allows me to plan healthy meals which include real, actual vegetables instead of throwing crescent rolls and goldfish on a plate and calling it dinner (which happens from time to time).
Get good sleep
The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours of sleep a night for adults. Ongoing sleep deficiency is linked to all kinds of bad stuff like high blood pressure, obesity, and even a stroke. The research paints a very clear picture that sleep is important, and yet it’s still hard to log the hours. I know I’m a better mom and wife when I’m well rested and in the holiday season my need for sleep is amplified. Making sleep a priority can improve one’s capacity for all the things November and December bring.
Practice presence
In the hustle and bustle of the season, taking a moment to really, truly be in the moment allows me to savor the beauty around me in a real way. It’ a simple concept only hard to implement. When I’m being intentional about this, I try and have one moment with each kid everyday. I know it sounds like a ridiculously trivial goal, but when I take time to look each babe in the eyes and really be with them, it makes a big impact. (This was a good reread for me.)
Presence with our loved ones is one of the lovely things about this season and I don’t want to miss it.
Stop the Scrolling
Screentime. Ugh. One requirement for me being present with my people is putting my phone down. Intentionality when it comes to our phones couldn’t be more important during this season. Yes, I want to take pictures. Yes, I want to post them. Yes, I want to see how my friends are celebrating. No, I don’t want that to be my priority for the six weeks. Maybe a Social Media Sabbath will help. Limiting my scrolling will make me a happier and more present Momma.
What are some ways you can finish the year strong these next several weeks?