Stuff I didn’t do this Christmas, and why:
Christmas cards (one child still refuses to look at the camera so what’s the point, but please keep sending me yours, I love them)
Christmas baking (couldn’t keep track of ingredients, and one set of little fingers is oven-curious, so I saved myself time and mess-stress by eating dark chocolate chips straight from the bag)
Christmas activities with my children (nobody asked for them, so I didn’t twist myself to make magic)
Christmas parties (please keep inviting us and loving us, we will eventually come when life isn’t so bonkers)
Christmas children’s service (getting them dressed and present on time and having to keep them quiet and still felt overwhelming)
Angel tree gifts (We usually take on a gaggle of kids and delivery services too. This one was hard to pause but was a “recognize your limits” situation. We’ll be back.)
Christmas recipes (completely forgot to make 2 of them yesterday, oh well, literally nobody missed them)
Finish my Christmas lights outside (I feel a little bad but not really)
Store my Christmas boxes out of sight (seemed like too much energy, we have to pull them right back out anyway)
Overbuy gifts for the baby (she had more fun ripping paper)
Read a Christmas book every night like we used to (we read a few and it was special)
Run every day (something’s gotta give, although looking at this list, a lot gave and it was good)
Stuff I did do this Christmas, and loved:
Spent time with my family
Cried my eyes out at our Christmas Eve service watching my children take it all in
Had fun making beautiful music with great people
Enjoyed yummy food and treats without measuring them against my fitness activity
Supervised daily Bluey, Lego, and Science Experiment advent calendars – (thanks, September-me for planning ahead, this was awesome but OMG THE SCIENCE IS EVERYWHERE)
Read the occasional scripture out of our family advent devotional
Prayed every night with my children, however brief
Took time for myself to read, listen, and grow
Christmas jammies (a sweet and specific request from my tween)
Continued our elf-family saga (we have 7 elves you guys, it’s a full-time job requiring an executive assistant)
Made intentional time for my spouse
Walked in the fresh air a few times a week
Was really honest about how I’m feeling/thinking about important aspects of my life as the year comes to a close
Legitimately evaluated my commitments, feelings of obligation, and Things I Worry About list (and tried to respond wisely)
LET STUFF GO
___
Feeling pretty good about it, all of it. How about you? What did you do/not do? Did it feel right or will you do it differently next year?
HP, J 