A Hurry Slowly Holiday Season?

I'm probably getting ahead of myself here. As far as I'm concerned it was just Halloween and next week is Christmas!

As our neighbour used to say, "Today is Monday. Day after tomorrow is Wednesday and then the week is half over." 

Can you believe that 2022 is nearly over? Do the days of the calendar seem to disappear into thin air?

Looking back at my blog posts over the past few years, I seem to return to this topic of finding calm in the storm every November! It's a recurring theme and a lesson I need to keep learning, I suppose.

Usually I'm stressed in November about the upcoming Christmas turkey rush, meat production, staffing, order packing and deliveries.

This year, Christmas will be different. I'm worried about NOT having a turkey rush --- the exact opposite thing!

The loss of both our Thanksgiving and Christmas turkey flocks means we have had to pivot and convince people to eat something other than turkey for the holidays.

Around here, we call it Operation Save Christmas. Will it work? I don't know. I'll tell you in January. Everything feels so tenuous, it has me all jittery.

This got me thinking. The "most wonderful time of the year" should not be the most stressful. When things feel out of control, what is actually within our control? What can we do?

Maybe a Slow Christmas is the antidote. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean slow sales! But how do we find comfort, calm and connection in the rush?

You've probably heard about Slow Living -- a lifestyle that takes a more intentional approach to all aspects of daily life. It's about living mindfully to take care of yourself and the world around you.

Living with intentionality allows us to find more pleasure in everyday living --- it's the little things stitched together that make a beautiful life, I think.

It can align us better with nature as we make choices to improve our health and that of the planet.

Slow living creates deeper connections with the people around us. Reducing our busyness enables us to commit more time to those who matter most.

If I apply the concepts of slow living to our family holiday season, it could look like this:

1. Create "hygge" in our home. Hygge is the Danish term that means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. Think candles, fuzzy slippers, cozy blankets, a big armchair and a cup of hot chocolate by the fireplace.
2. Less is more. If we simplify our Christmas decorating so the house is not cluttered, it will add a sense of calm to our home --- not to mention less cleanup when Christmas is over! 
3. Quality over quantity. We will buy less and buy better. We will buy quality items and consider the brands we want to support.
4. Say "no" to some things so we can say a hearty "yes" to others. I have serious FOMO at Christmas so this one is hard for me. Maybe we can't go to every Christmas concert or support every good cause, but we can choose to enthusiastically and wholeheartedly support the ones we say "yes" to.
5. Plan menus for the holidays, prep and grocery shop so we don't have to think too hard between Christmas and New Year's.
6. Use social media mindfully and take social media sabbaths.
7. Get outdoors and play!
8. Make sleep a priority. I'm a much nicer person when I'm rested.
9. Set aside time to be alone. As an introvert, that's the ultimate in self-care.

As you hurry slowly this holiday season, I wish you moments of deep calm, comfort and connection.