Welcome to Week 8 of the Holiday Countdown!

For those who celebrate Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas; and for those who celebrate Hanukkah starting this week, I wish you Chag sameach!  

You may have started to feel worn down by all of the festivities and may not be feeling so festive yourself. That makes complete sense. Loss can make it hard to focus and feel. I am here to remind you that it is so important to take care of yourself. If you have been pushing yourself too hard, it may be time to retreat. Say no to something that is on your calendar this week that just feels like it may take too much energy. That is OK.

Don’t worry if you are just joining in this week. Here is the link to what we have covered if you would like to take a look back, or you can just jump in today.

Last week we talked about:

• Time off?
• Cheer?
• Tree check-in

Remember to keep the intention that you set for this holiday in mind every day so you can keep focused and grounded on your north star. This will help to lead you to your finish line.  

I am here to guide you every step of the way. Together, we’ve got this.  💪🏻

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On to the nitty gritty of the week. Here is what I would like you to think about this week:

December 23:

Confirm plans.  Christmas and Hanukkah are almost here. For those celebrating, take a look at your plans. Make sure you know where you are going, what the timing is and who is going to be there. If you decided to host others, finalize the logistics. When are people coming? What are they bringing? If you are cooking, pick up any last-minute groceries and write down the timing of your cooking plans. The more you know ahead of time, the better you can prepare mentally, especially for those who might be joining you. There is usually at least one relative who may challenge your mental stamina (to say it nicely). As with all other events, share your thoughts with someone so they can have your back. What is your ‘sign’ that you need them to step in to help you? Pre-determine your exit line if conversation or emotions are getting too high for you. Pick out what you want to wear. If you put on something you like, that can be a small pick-me-up.

December 25:

Maintain boundaries.  People will push you as far as you let them. It is up to you to establish and communicate what is OK and what is not. Sometimes this can come into play with your in-laws, extended family members and some friends. First and foremost, you need to take care of yourself. 

You are allowed to step away, excuse yourself and spend time alone.

You can and should say NO.

It’s OK to be tired and not want to participate in everything.

December 27:

Commune with nature.  Maybe you live somewhere that you can be outside all of the time, which is amazing! Maybe you live in a place that is cold, and when the weather drops, you tend to avoid the outdoors. Being outside is a natural aphrodisiac. It is calming, reduces anxiety, increases creativity, reduces stress and can bring on feelings of joy. Take off your earbuds when you are outside. Listen to the sounds around you; pay attention to the leaves, or snowflakes if you have them, and any smells. These short breaks in nature can be like mini vacations. Make sure you are taking them frequently throughout the day. If you have not been taking them at all, strive for a quick five-minute break, and you can build up from there. If you can’t get outside, go to a window and get some sunlight and just observe what is around you. 

To learn about Jody’s coaching programs, click here.