What is it about this time of year...

The 🐻 & Slowing Down

... that inherently picks up the pace? We've been plodding along, month-to-month, through the year, we even get a sort of peaceful stillness in October, and then BAM: November. Jumping into November feels like jumping aboard a speeding train that doesn't stop until New Year's. We hurtle through the end of the year at break neck speed, with the only reprieve in sight a hot two full months away. How does this happen? 

The holiday season comes at the same time every year, it shouldn't feel like a surprise. But here I am, heaving another sigh as I close the door on a cheerful October and brace for impact in November. And knowing this about me, about the season, I found myself wondering on November first how to just slow it all down. How do we let November come and go with the same gentleness of October? Is it possible for December to feel as ordinary as September? Truthfully, I don't think so.  

But before this anxious girly gets overwhelmed with the fast pace of it all, here are Four Ways I'm Slowing Down this holiday season:

Build 4 Quiet Moments into Each Month: These are early mornings/afternoons/evenings/a full day (if you can find one) where I am producing nothing and simply enjoying the time of year. Maybe reading a book with a cup of tea. Maybe doing a craft or watching my favorite show. Something that is purely fun and low energy.  

Time-blocking Creative Endeavors: As a content creator and writer, fall/winter is usually when I buckle down and do the most creative work I can. It's easy to feel overwhelmed when I do commit to a certain posting cadence, for example, or to a new project (for writing). So to combat the overwhelm, I'm trying to time-block 30-60 min windows where I concentrate on a single task, and then move on. Just knowing I'm prioritizing time to work on things help me feel less anxious.  

Spend More Time & Less Money: I don't know about you, but money is tighhhtttt right now. And in lieu of expensive gifts, I really want to prioritize spending time with the people IO love. If loneliness is something you are struggling with this season, maybe trying focusing on how you can connect with / show up for others is an amazing distraction. Can you visit a friend? Babysit for a loved one? Volunteer somewhere in your community?> Channeling that energy into others can be such a balm.  

Rest, Don't Quit: If you are on the dating apps/dating and the process is stressing you out, give yourself the gift of peace and delete those apps! Rest for the holidays. Have a season of rest during an already stressful time of year. Come back to it in January when you have more bandwidth. Remember, you don't owe your dreams 100% of your effort 100% of the time.

How are you slowing down this Holiday Season?

Tell me your ways!

xoxo,

Allora