5 Steps to Finding Rest This Holiday Season

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year, but it can also be the most chaotic. We have deadlines to meet, not enough money to spend, a house that seems to never be clean, and everyone around us seems to have their life a little bit more in order than we do. Isn’t it funny how we all feel it, but somehow we all feel like it’s just us? Rest is possible during this time of year and I’m going to give you 5 practical steps to finding rest during this holiday season.

1 // Keep in mind that this season is about celebrating togetherness, don’t overthink it.

One of the reasons we don’t experience rest is because we are too busy trying to experience everything else. This season is about getting together with those we love and celebrating a special time of year. That’s it. We don’t have to have the best food, all the presents, big beautiful Christmas trees, or the cutest holiday outfit that we couldn’t afford. All we need is to be with those who mean the most to us and that helps take some of that pressure off.

2 // Know what makes you feel refreshed and intentionally schedule that into your week/day.

This time of the year is so rushed, take the time to do the things that make you feel re-energized and refreshed. After all, that is what rest is (it’s not just taking naps all the time friends). For me, that’s spending time with the people I love, watching a movie on the couch with my husband, sitting down to be creative, cooking/baking, or taking a bath or a nap to make up for those long days. Whatever that looks like for you, be intentional about scheduling time to do those things. This will leave you less stressed, more fun to be around, and allow you to enjoy the season rather than hate it.

3 // Keep reminders of your “why” behind the season where you can see them.

Knowing your “why” helps you “win” and in this case, knowing your “why” allows you to rest in the midst of the busiest time of the year. Whenever you know why you are doing something, it makes it a lot easy to enjoy. It allows you to focus in and prioritize, which causes you to shy away from the things that are going to steal your rest and in turn steal your joy this season. For me, my “why” behind this season is remembering why we celebrate: Jesus and taking time to reflect on that. Another “why” for me is being intentional with how I love those around me. This helps me filter through what’s really important by seeing if it falls under my “why” or if it’s hindering me from accomplishing my “why.”

4 // Give yourself grace.

If you snap at someone, give yourself grace. If you forget to schedule in your time for the things that refuel you, give yourself grace. If your house doesn’t look spotless, give yourself grace. Whatever it may be, give yourself grace. You are not superhuman and no one is expecting you to be.

5 // Have fun!

This time of year is so much fun if you let it be. Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle that you miss out on the joy this time of year brings. Go look at Christmas lights with your girlfriends and make a thing out of it. Go see a Christmas movie in theaters. Have a gingerbread house making contest with your spouse or your friends. Give yourself the freedom to laugh a little, hang out with the people who bring you joy, and have fun! This is the only time of year it’s acceptable for grown-ups to act like children and wear onesies, so wear the onesie!

Keep in mind that how we end the year impacts how we head into the new year.

What we put our focus into as we near the end of 2018 will more than likely carry into 2019. So seek out rest, be intentional about it, and surround yourself with things that bring you joy. What are some of the ways you rest during the holiday season?