In 2017, the term ‘Festive Stress’ was coined. Whilst Christmas can still be a magical time, it’s not all twinkly lights and laughing children. It can highlight difficulties and cause unrealistic expectations. Caroline, owner of A Tidy Mind – West & South Yorkshire shares her heart warming take on the season in this blog.
It’s December which means CHRISTMAS! Even typing those words makes my heart beat a little faster and whilst I welcome the twinkling lights & the vibrant colours I have to admit to occasionally finding this time of year a little overwhelming.
I recently launched my new business “A Tidy Mind – West & South Yorkshire” &, whilst pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I’ve met some of the most wonderfully inspiring & motivational business owners. I decided to ask some of them what made their perfect Christmas & I was overwhelmed by their responses. Not one mention of glossy magazine pictures, Instagram perfect decorations, crispy roast potatoes or perfectly wrapped presents but lots of mentions of; quality family time, laughter, relaxing & togetherness. I loved their responses.
In our family the festivities start when ‘THE TREE’ goes up in early December. It’s a chintz explosion. I unashamedly have every decoration the children have ever made for me (they spark joy!) We’ll decorate whilst listening to cheesy Christmas tunes, sipping mulled wine & I may get a little emotional at the super memories of Nativities & Santa boat trips. The children, now teenagers, will find my sentiment extremely comical & despite much deliberation in the garden centre the tree will invariably be wonky & look like the Christmas fairy has waved her glitter wand all over its spruces. We love it!
I’m fortunate to have a BIG family & historically at some point during Christmas everyone has descended on me. I would plan menu’s, décor & games months in advance, be cooking up a storm the day before & then as everyone arrived my house would descend into chaos.
This year my Mum’s beloved twin, my auntie, passed away & celebrating Christmas feels artificial & wrong. I wish with every ounce of my being that I could turn the clock back 12 months & be celebrating our Secret Santa 2018, laughing at the silly & rude presents we bought each other.
So….If I may be so bold as to make some recommendations to you this Christmas I would say; “embrace your family’s traditions & create new ones if old ones are too painful, don’t compare yourself to others – you don’t know what’s going on in their lives, be content being you, be happy, BE KIND, cherish those who enrich your life & embrace what gives you peace. That way your Christmas may not be perfection but it will be just perfect for you”.
Wishing a very Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate and a peaceful end of the year to all. Remember, if you’re not where you want to be, that it’s never too late to change. And no mountain is too high as long as you climb it one step at a time. See you in 2020.