I don’t know what it is about the lead up to the holidays, but time just seems to slip away! I had one job to do at the shopping centre last Saturday, pick up the layby with the kids Christmas gifts. Simple right? We’d head straight there after Little Athletics, park the car, walk to the shop, pick up said layby, walk back to car, go home. 1 hour tops, yeah? Well… ummm…. maybe I was dreaming. To start I drove around in circles for a good 10 minutes before finally landing a car park. Three kids in tow, we took a detour via the toilets, stopped to feed the baby and change her nappy, then finally made our way to Big W. Oh look, there’s clothes, I could do with an outfit for Christmas day. What, there’s face painting in store? “Ooo Madelyn, lets go paint your face!”. “Luca, would you please keep up with us!”. “Luca stop touching the toys”. “Luca, where are you? Come back here!”. “Ok guys, lets get the layby, that’s what we’re here for”. You get the gist, we’re easily distracted 😉 and Luca likes to wander *sigh*.
Of course I promised the kids I’d get them some frozen yoghurt too, so we have to go all the way to the other end of the centre, then I remember I’ve got a Secret Santa gift to buy too. Might as well do that while I’m here. By the way, Kikki K have these cute little Gratitude journal gift sets available at the moment! So coupled with a little purse filled with some essential oil rollers, I’m pretty excited with the gift I am sending off to a gorgeous Mama who could use something special.
Did I go off on a tangent again? Haha, I’m good at that! Any who, we’re probably about 2 hours in to this “short” shopping trip. We’d better feed the baby again, go to the toilet and then go look for that sock we lost in store… I think about an hour later we finally got back in the car and headed around to the customer pick up, to get said layby. If you’re unaware Big W wraps them in clear plastic bags, so DO NOT take the kids to pick it up in store with you! Or do as I did and take up their offer to pick it up from the back, putting it straight into the boot of the car.
We were on a roll by now, that we figured we might as well sort out another gift that was needed for my niece and grab some groceries before we headed home. Looonnngggg day! Thank goodness it was take-away night and I had a delicious Thai meal with my name on it! Now I am getting to a point with all of this and that is that all this busy-ness and chaos we start to create in the lead up to school and work finishing, Christmas celebrations, get together’s and end-of-year concerts, that we start to get a bit frazzled. We can let it slide form being “The most wonderful time of the year” to a stressful and frustrating time as we slowly feel our minds fog and our energy dive. But there’s hope! It doesn’t have to be chaotic and you don’t have to feel like a hot mess trying to keep up. Here’s my favourite ways to keep on top of it {as much as possible} and look after myself in the process.
“When you fill your own cup, you can give to others from the overflow”
Find Gratitude in Every Day
When we’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, burnt-out or anxious, it can be really hard to see all those little things that are still wonderful and amazing. Those little things, that bring a smile to your face when you think of them, an opening of your heart and reminder, that it’s not so bad. Some days I have to think a little harder than others, I have to wade through the sludgy emotions that cloud the sunshine, but I get there in the end and a sludge clears, leaving a brighter mindset.
So how do you get started? It’s too easy! Grab yourself a little notebook, or if you love stationary like me, check out Kikki K’s gorgeous range, then pick up a pen and EVERY SINGLE DAY, at whatever time suits you, write in the three things you are most grateful for. It could be things that have gone well, it could be achievements, it could be something you witnessed, it could be the way your toddler fits perfectly on your lap for cuddles, or maybe the hubby cleaned the toilet so you didn’t have to! The sky’s the limit and perhaps the blue sky is something that made your day feel so much better. Anything goes, as long as it’s positive and fills you with gratitude.
I always notice when I haven’t kept up my gratitude journal, I can look back and see the funk I felt on the tough days, or the lack of drive to live abundantly and creatively. There was a bit of that in November, I rarely sat in my office and put time into my passions. Opening my journal just now, I’ve realised I didn’t fill in a single day! So, as of now, I shall begin to fill the remainder of my beautiful gratitude journal until the very last day of the year.
A little bit of Self-Lovin’
Self care is so important, but put your hand up if you let time get in the way of looking after yourself *hand raised*. You’re not alone, I’m guilty of this too, along with a huge portion of the population. We all get caught up from time-to-time and begin to put ourselves at the bottom of the list… and proceed to feel rubbish for it! Whether it’s putting off your walk/run/the gym, because you have to get the kids ready for bed instead of asking the hubby to take over, or you chose a cheese toastie instead of a salad packed wrap (totally dig this occasionally…) and because of those little things, you begin to feel a bit blah. So how do we snap out of it and prioritise a little time just for us? My favourite little self-care treat is…
Aromatic Dressing ~ This simple little act takes you a mere 5 minutes and it sets you up for beginning your day on a positive and light-hearted note. Not only does this completely moisturise your body from tootsies to neck, but has the added benefit of including essential oils, so you can add some emotional oomph and really start your day rockin’.
How to: Grab yourself a little dish or tea cup, some carrier oil (I love sweet almond for it’s skin nourishing benefits) and your essential oils. I love to pick the oils I use each day, allowing my intuition to guide me towards ones that will support me the best for what is ahead, but occasionally, I will pick a blend I’d like to work with for a time, to re-balance. At the moment, I’m digging the new Spikenard, blended with Balance. Spikenard is known as the Oil of Gratitude and although most people think it smells a bit stinky and pungent, I am adoring it once it is on my skin.
So once you’ve chosen your essential oils, pour 10-15mls carrier into your little dish, then add 6 drops total of your chosen oils. I’m using 2 spikenard and 4 Balance. Then it’s time to treat your bod. Starting at your feet, massage upwards, applying your oil as you go. Use this as a time to connect with your body and what it does for you. Show appreciation for it, for legs that carry you through your day, for a stomach that allowed you to carry a child, for arms that are open and able to embrace those you love. I love to speak affirmations, to set my mind ready for a school run without frustration, a day with less chaos. “I speak calmly”, “I allow frustration to melt away”, “I am motivated to tick off my to-do list”, “I am confident when speaking with others”. Whatever your day has ahead, lift yourself up and become the strong goddess you are and smash through any challenges.
Soak up the Sunshine
Too often, I find myself looking at the sunshine through a window, as I plod through chores, allowing myself to be stuck inside. That glorious golden light is an amazing mood enhancer that MUST be enjoyed! Not only does it feel good as the rays kiss your cheeks, but it is an essential element to a healthy and nourishing life.
There is an epidemic in Australia, of vitamin D deficiency, which I put down to too much “slip, slop, slap and cover” and not enough safe sun exposure. We NEED that 20 minutes of sunshine on our bare skin, to allow our body to create the vitamin D it needs. It is such a vital nutrient for mood, bone health and as researchers are discovering, cancer prevention. When we’re feeling low and the sun is shining, there’s nothing for it, but to plonk yourself outside and take some time-out. Make it a super session and sit or lay on the ground, feet bare and connecting with the earth. Close your eyes and breathe deeply into the belly, meditate if you so desire, drawing in fresh and rejuvenating oxygen. Allow your mind to wander and relax, to let go of your stresses for a few minutes and indulge in some peace, before coming back to the present and resuming your day. Hopefully now with an extra spring in your step.
Create calm in your day
Before I overwhelm you with more tips, I’ll stop there, because it only takes one simple change, to begin creating more calm. These are my three favourite things to do, when I’m feeling under the pump, that are so doable and simple. They don’t require loads of time and they motivate me to balance other areas of life such as movement and nutrition. A frustrated, frazzled, run-down mumma isn’t going to be of much use to anyone if she falls in a heap from exhaustion or sits rocking in a corner out of sheer overwhelm. All it requires is the desire to take 5 for yourself, to place importance in your well being and know that you are WORTH IT!
