It’s the most wonderful time of the year; still, for many small business owners, it’s also the
busiest time of the year, as you may feel the urge to finish the year strong and get a head start
for the new year. But no matter where you are on the hustle mode spectrum, consider this
journal an invitation to take extra care of yourself during this holiday season.
I am a strong advocate for self-care all year round, but self-care for me during this time means
knowing how to honor boundaries between work and play, enjoying family, trips to Disneyland,
and guilt-free relaxation. As a small business owner, I have learned how important it is to
prioritize myself by engaging in activities that help me embrace the beauty this season brings.
In today’s journal, I’ve shared some of my favorite holiday self-care tips that you can use to
ensure this is your best and most recharging holiday season yet!
Schedule non-negotiable time for yourself
And no, this is not 15 minutes of scrolling on social media. Every day, make sure to carve out
chunks of time to focus on tuning into your needs. Treat yourself to a relaxing bath or try a new
face mask while snuggling up to watch your favorite holiday movie. Take a walk, call a friend, or
organize an area in your home you’ve been meaning to get to. Make sure to indulge in the
things that help you to unwind and breathe during the holidays.
Give back to others
Do you feel like the holidays have lost a sparkle compared to childhood? It’s normal, especially
as it is common for many of us to be busy with holiday shopping, the never-ending to-do list, the
work that never stops, and trying to keep up with busy schedules. It can be a lot. But when I
start to feel this way; I love to focus on ways I can stop thinking about myself and give back,
which puts me right back to focusing on the true essence of this season, others.
Get some sleep – avoid burnout.
It’s more important than ever to ensure you’re not skimping out on sleep, especially with all the
hustle and bustle. As tempting as you may want to jump on next year’s goals and projects or
finish this year strong, it is also crucial that you rest. Doing so will help you balance the
demands of end-of-the-year work tasks and holiday season festivities to avoid the infamous
year-end burnout.
Sometimes, No is necessary.
Setting boundaries around the holidays can take time and effort. You want to do what you can
and spend time with every person you love, but this can leave you feeling stretched too thin.
Feel comfortable turning down things that bring more stress than joy from your plate.
Remember, You can’t do it all, which is perfectly okay!
Take care of your body, but also treat yourself.
I get it between the dozens of holiday cookies, sweets, hot cocoa, and every fantastic holiday
drink. It’s easy to over-indulge this time of the year. The goal is to find a healthy balance
between not denying the sweets and over-indulging in too many treats, which could look like
taking some time for a short walk, exercising slightly during the day, or starting the morning off
with a veggie-filled smoothie. If you go a little overboard with the sweets, don’t fret about it too
much, it’s not the end of all things.
Remember, self Care is NOT selfish.
I’ve heard this phrase so many times since it became popular, but I still have to remind myself of
it when I feel guilty for taking some time to recharge. If you’re like me, and the second you sit
down, you think, “Wait, am I being selfish? I’ve got so many things to do!” this applies to you.
But before you start doubting yourself, remember to take care of yourself before you can focus
on others. Remember the rule during every airline safety demonstration? Make sure to put on
your mask before helping others with theirs. Same thing!
Christmas time is my favorite time of the year to relax and enjoy the beauty of the season. I’ve
made it a yearly tradition to recharge my battery during the last couple of months in exchange
for a solid start to the new year. My days consist of cuddling with my fur baby, spending time
with my loved ones, Hallmark movies, and knowing when to put boundaries on work tasks. The
holiday season is the perfect time for you to get in the swing of practicing self-care.
Let me know how you will be prioritizing your needs this season.
Happy Holidays!
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