As the holiday season is behind us, you may feel a little let down that the festivities are over. Whether you chose to celebrate with pomp and circumstance or in a low key way, the holidays often bring opportunities to rejoice. With the joy of the season behind us, how do we maintain a festive spirit throughout the year? In my usual fashion, I encourage you to keep it simple and find the joy in every day moments.
It’s a challenge when life gets stressful and there is more to do than there are hours in the day, when fatigue takes hold and you just have to just keep going. No matter what you are experiencing, we must carve out moments to laugh, take delight in the little stuff and keep things in perspective. You can make life a party every day, not just during the holidays, by taking an intentional moment every day to appreciate something.
When work is overwhelming, take time to do something that makes you smile. It could be singing in the shower, exercising and challenging your body in ways you did not know were possible, savoring your food, listening to the birds chirp, appreciating a sunny day, sitting by a warm fire, reading a good book, getting a good night’s sleep, wearing something that puts a pep in your step, and the list goes on.
When the kids are screaming and the husband is cranky, do or say something silly to diffuse the tension.
When you are getting pulled in too many directions, ensure you still make time to do the things that inspire and rejuvenate you. It will feed your soul and make the obligations seem more palatable.
When the list of chores is piling up, turn on some music, do a little dance and clean away.
When feeling down, make an effort to smile. It’s contagious.