Everybody’s busy. Who do you know that is not busy? It’s the new normal. Just ask anyone, “how are you?” and I’ll bet they’ll reply with a “good,” and add a boastful “busy.” It has become an aspired status that implies heightened productivity and success. But we must pay attention to our individual capacities and be mindful when we reach our max. Too busy can be counterproductive and unhealthy.
Especially this time of year, we all have so much on our plates. As if we had any extra time, the holidays just wring us dry of whatever spare time we might have. But take note…there is good busy and bad busy.
The good busy is immersing yourself in the holiday festivities in a healthy way. Work hard, play hard, shop smart. Finding the balance between the every day and the added holiday to do’s, and finding the joy in the busy. Embracing the spirit of the holiday and not getting caught up in the consumer mania is easier for some more than others. The good busy people are able to resist the romance of over -acquiring. Staying focused helps them buy practical, buy less, and reduce the overwhelming holiday stress. They are enjoying the holiday frenzy.
Now for the bad busy. We all are busy with our jobs and/or just normal daily responsibilities. No need to drown yourself in work commitment, holiday shopping, and operate in full throttle 24/7. We are fragile. Indeed, we are stressed, pressed for time, and overwhelmed, but we cannot be our best selves if we are constantly pushing the envelope.
In truth, being a workaholic and a shopaholic can prove to be fruitless, exhausting, and lead to burn-out. With the additional holiday pressure to get everything on your list done, you can easily drown in overwhelm and get caught up in a bad busy cycle.
What if I told you that if you stopped being so busy for a minute and relinquished a bit more more time to organize and manage your lifestyle better, you’d actually have MORE time?
Here’s some helpful tips to reduce the bad busy;
- Simply make a list of all the things you have to do, but then review the list again. Now check off the things that only YOU have to do and delegate the rest. Figure out how to cut out a step. Do those things you love to do, and get help with the things you hate to do.
- No need to spend the time or money on expensive wrapping paper. Have the store wrap for you, or use shopping bags and stuff them with tissue paper. Use stick-on labels instead of attaching gift cards. A huge time saver.
- Simplify the complicated. If possible, stay out of the stores and shop on-line. Avoid the long lines. They only add anxiety.
- Don’t struggle with the “perfect” gift. Buy gift cards. They are always appreciated and they eliminate returns.
- Buy clutter free gifts. They are the most precious of all. Give the gift of time. Buy concert tickets, dinners, dance lessons, or spa treatments. Be creative with your “love” gifts. They need not be expensive, just thoughtful.
- Buy baked goods this year or store bought food, if this is too stressful for you. Don’t feel guilty about it, your holidays will not be less happy. Focus on the celebration with family and friends.
- Forgive yourself if you didn’t have the time to send out holiday cards. Don’t stress about it, let it go. It’s not the worse thing in the world. Maybe next year.
These are all small changes you can make to free up some more time to have fun! Remember, “done is better than perfect!”
If you can’t enjoy this festive time, what’s the point? Now that you’ve got a minute…Come join the conversation. Are you good busy or bad busy?
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