Like many others, you probably feel a combination of anticipation, excitement, and dread as this season approaches. While anticipation and excitement are positive, what can we do about lessening the dread?
Here is the most valuable advice I have for you. It will make the entire season easier for you and lessen feelings of stress and anxiety. Begin by decluttering before you start preparing for the holidays. This is simple but crucial.
Why? Because we all have waaaaay too much stuff in our homes already, and, its a fact that this season tends to bring in loads more! Think decorations, decor, gifts, food, toys, new clothing etc etc. $2.7 BILLION a year is spent by homeowners buying something they already have because they can't find it amongst their stuff.
Studies indicate that chaotic environments with clutter and unfinished tasks can lead to high levels of stress. Women's stress levels are directly proportional to the amount of clutter in their home. It is challenging to feel relaxed, calm, or confident in such surroundings. Transforming your home into the winter wonderland you envision is more achievable when you are not constantly cramming items in drawers, closets, or moving them to the attic, or the basement or looking for stuff you know you have but can not find.
Don't buy a single thing until you have taken stock of what you already have!
We are lead to believe that we need to buy buy buy so we are ready for any situation that might arise in November or December. The problem is that most of us have no idea what we already have. We see adverts for sales and promotions and coupons and specials, and because we are programmed to believe that consuming can solve every problem, we rush to the stores to snap it up.
Now for most of us who did the exact same thing last year, and likely the year before, we already have most of the stuff. We packed it up and put it away last year where it has been taking up space in our garages, basements and closets ever since. Wrapping paper, tape, decorations, extension cords, gag gifts, ugly sweaters, seasonally appropriate toilet paper and cocktail napkins, holiday cards, Holiday PJ's and costume jewelry! If you can remember where you stashed it, make an appointment with yourself (30 minutes) to pull it out and go through it NOW.
Get organized before you buy.
Now compare the list of what you think you need with what you already have and you are left with the difference which very likely will be loads less than you originally thought. You totally forgot you purchased 4 boxes of tinsel, 5 new packs of fairy lights, 12 rolls of wrapping paper and 1000 ornament hangers in the after Christmas sales!!
Clean out your baking cabinet, your fridge and your pantry to see what you actually have before you buy more. Make a list in your phone of common ingredients you already have so that you don't just duplicate when you are shopping a recipe.
It is SUPPOSED to be the most wonderful time of the year.
Its not a race or a competition. No one is grading or checking or even cares because everyone is so worried about their own chaos. Enjoy your home, your family and most of all yourself. Happy Hols!
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