7 Ways to Practice Self Care During the Holidays

It’s Thanksgiving week – how are you doing? Let’s talk about self care during the holidays! The season has begun and while I am excited to make the most of it despite the craziness of 2020, I also want to be very intentional about how I taking care of myself during the hustle and bustle. I’m doing my best to hold the tension of living in the present and positioning myself for a fresh new year! As we navigate the challenges and nuances of the 2020 holidays, I thought a good self care plan was in order! So I’m sharing 7 tips to stay sane, joyful, and whole during the hustle and bustle!

(this post contains affiliate links. see disclosure here)

1. SELF CARE THROUGH SOUND – Turn Up the Music!

In her latest book, Welcome Home (which I highly recommend!), Myquillyn Smith talks about using our five senses in home decor and hosting in every season. For our sense of hearing, she encourages her readers to make playlists both for seasons and holidays and I love this idea!

I’m a heavy Spotify user and take great joy in making playlists as well as discovering new, already-made playlists! Using your favorite music platform, I encourage you to make lists with favorite tunes, new and old! But remember, make sure you’re acknowledging both the seasons and the holidays. So for instance, we definitely need our favorite Christmas tunes but let’s not forget the winter season as a whole. Whatever makes you feel the sparkle and cozy warmth of wintertime, put it in a playlist to enjoy from December til the first hints of springtime.

Great Autumn Jazz Playlist

My November Praise & Worship Playlist (CLUB 119 WORTHY)

Enchanting Winter Playlist

My Christmas Playlist (sacred)

My Holiday Playlist (mixed)

2. SELF CARE THROUGH DECISION-MAKING – Say No

No doubt, you’re feeling pulled in several directions to keep all the different plates spinning. Incase no one has told you yet, allow me:

It’s okay to say no.

In fact, not only is it okay, it’s imperative for your peace and joy that you be really intentional about what you sign up for. Don’t say ‘yes’ when you’d rather not and don’t feel pressured to do something that isn’t right for the season you’re in. I highly encourage you to have a check system to help you with fielding requests upon your days. Before you say ‘yes’ to someone, consult with your calendar, spouse, or even your children if that’s appropriate. Make sure you’re not double booking yourself or forgetting a prior commitment. Make sure you not only have the time on your calendar but also the emotional space to handle another item on your to do list. And don’t forget check with your gut. Does the request spark joy or bring dread or weariness? Those gut reactions shouldn’t be our only decision making tool but they are good indicators as to what you might need to pass on.

If you struggle with decision fatigue or overwhelm as a general rule, I recommend these three awesome reads.

Don’t Overthink It

The Best Yes

The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions

Emily is releasing a guided journal in January as well! If you want more decision-making help, pre-order your copy!!

3. SELF CARE THROUGH GOOD HABITS – TAKE CARE OF YOUR Skin

I don’t know about you but when I’m stressed, worn out, and frazzled, it shows up on my face big time. I’ve never been great at keeping up with multi-step facial care routines but turning 30 this year has reminded me that I need to be serious about taking care of the only face I’ve got!

Several months ago, I started using some amazing skin care products from ISKRA by Kortnye. Kortnye is a friend of mine and I tell you, her amazing skin care line makes me feel like a self-care boss and like I’m winning the skin care game!! Here’s my face after the first week! I know, right?! Who doesn’t want to glow during the holidays rather than looking like 2020 knocked ’em in the teeth (even if that is actually true! #strugglebus).

Good skincare doesn’t have to require a 17-step routine (I mean, it can if that brings you joy and makes your skin feel like a million bucks!). Start with a few basic steps and then build from there. Just make sure you’re being intentional in paying attention to what your skin needs!

I’ve really enjoyed using ISKRA products as part of my night time regimen. There is nothing like washing off all the gunk and stress of the day and nourishing my skin with clean, lovely ingredients that make me feel luxurious and like a grown up! Check them out!!

GIVEAWAY!!

What’s especially fun about this post is that Kortnye has generously partnered with me for a giveaway for my community! And we not only have one prize but TWO! You have a chance to win either a GRAND PRIZE of a set of products worth over $300 or a SECOND PRIZE set of products worth over $200!

INSTRUCTIONS TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

THIS GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO US RESIDENTS ONLY. DOMESTIC SHIPPING ONLY.

TAKE THE ISKRA SELF CARE QUIZ & ENTER YOUR NAME & EMAIL ADDRESS AT THE END FOR ONE ENTRY TO THE GIVEAWAY.

SELF CARE QUIZ

TAKE THE QUIZ + SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR A SECOND ENTRY TO THE GIVEAWAY.

GIVEAWAY CLOSES ON DECEMBER 11, 2020 SO BE SURE AND GET YOUR ENTRY IN!!

4. SELF CARE THROUGH HEALTH – Take Care of your Immune System

Okay, so this is the year of COVID and so I don’t have to convince you that taking care of ourselves against germs is super important. However, I’d be remiss if I left it off the list because it can be easy to forget simple preventative measures during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. So here’s your reminder to stay on top of your vitamins C and D intake, don’t overdo it with sugar, drink plenty of water and be sure to get lots of good sleep. I know this is the time of year we tend to indulge in holiday treats and I’m not here to tell you not to enjoy BUT make sure you also eat lots of nutritious foods (there are plenty of ways to have fun with fruits and veggies) so that your immune system doesn’t take a hit due to lack of proper care.

I’m not naturally good at finding creative ways to eat more eat fruits and veggies so I turn to cookbooks for inspiration. Here are a few that I either own or have on my wishlist:

The Love and Lemons Cookbook: An Apple-to-Zucchini Celebration of Impromptu Cooking

Love and Lemons Every Day: More than 100 Bright, Plant-Forward Recipes for Every Meal: A Cookbook

Love Real Food: More Than 100 Feel-Good Vegetarian Favorites to Delight the Senses and Nourish the Body: A Cookbook

The Complete Plant-Based Cookbook: 500 Inspired, Flexible Recipes for Eating Well Without Meat (The Complete ATK Cookbook Series)

Plants-Only Kitchen: Over 70 Delicious, Super-Simple, Powerful and Protein-Packed Recipes for Busy People

5. SELF CARE THROUGH QUIET – TAKE A BREAK FROM NOISE & DISTRACTIONS

Working from home, child-free means I spend much of my time on my own. While that could mean most of my time is quiet, it doesn’t! I’m usually listening to or watching something during work or when I take breaks. Even though I’m not physically around people for work on a regular basis, I have to be really intentional about quiet time away from work, projects, social media, binge watching Netflix and all the rest. I’m going to assume the same goes for you too! Making time for quiet isn’t always easy but it’s super important for healthy self care!

For me, quiet time consists of journaling, prayer, and Bible study. This year, I’ve started using 3 really awesome products that have quickly become mainstays for these important activities.

Give Me Jesus Journal

Val Marie Paper Prayer Journal

Growth Book

Remember, if you don’t intentionally schedule quiet time, it’s not going to happen during the hustle and bustle. Write it in your planner and make it happen!

6. SELF CARE THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS – Love on Your People

Make sure that during the hustle and bustle, you make time to love on your people. Spend time with those who mean the most to you. And even though traveling, gathering, & celebrating looks different this year, that doesn’t mean we can’t show the love. Send a card, make a call, deliver something homemade. Our relationships are so important, make sure you’re taking good care of them! This has been a rough year, let’s make sure they feel our love!

Need some ideas for homemade Christmas gifts? I got a search started for you HERE

7. SELF CARE THROUGH PLANNING – Think About Next Year

As a planner during the holidays, I can’t help thinking about the first quarter of the next year. I’m already thinking about my 2021 goals, what projects I want to work on, and all the things I want to improve or do differently in my personal life. This is my personality, yes, but I want to encourage you to start thinking about the new year too. I believe when we start thinking about what happens after the final party and all the holiday decor has been put away, we can have more peace of mind during the festivities and fewer holiday blues afterwards! Self care means paying attention to your future!

So what’s helping me with all that planning and goal setting? Two amazing planning tools!