Holiday

This has been a holiday like no other! Can’t say that I have been in the holiday mood or anything. I really feel that Covid has killed a lot of holiday joy. I haven’t hit rock bottom, but with PTSD, I can say I have been more stressed out and in need of more time to meditate.

I enjoyed decorating, and lighting my Bath and Body Works candles, which generally brings about a happy mood for me. The smell of the candles relax me a bit and just changes the atmosphere. I did play a bit of holiday music and that was nice for a little bit. I have also watched a crap load of Christmas movies. I prefer the comedies, but this year I did spend some time watching some of the Hallmark movies and I didn’t hate it. Some movies were a bit predictable but some surprised me. The decorations on these movies are amazing, but I always think about having to pack all of that stuff up and storing it. It makes me just want to do the minimal amount of decorating, which I do each year.

Now that Christmas is over and we are heading into the new year. I have felt the need to focus on some things. I am not one to make new year resolutions, but I am planning to make some changes for the better as the new year comes in. First, my doctor wants me to lose a few pounds and I haven’t been focused on that much due to the Covid situation. I just want to avoid the germs. So I decided to join Green Chef for a few weeks to help me better meal plan and cook things that are healthy for my children and I. I hope that eating better will help with weight loss and feeding my body what it needs instead of the chips and ice cream I could always eat for dinner. Second, my doctor would like me to exercise more. I am not good with exercising at home at all. The cold weather doesn’t help either. I like to go walking but, I will not do it when it is cold out. So, I joined a group with friends to do 50 squats a day to benefit the March of Dimes. Yes, I had to attach getting some daily exercise with a good cause. It will be my motivation knowing I am helping someone else besides myself.

I am walking through this holiday season holding on to joy and hope with a bit of a plan. Nothing too crazy! No super high expectations for myself, just a few changes for the better at a time. Like choosing joy to carry with me. Not being upset with myself if I don’t have a great day. Just finding one good thing that may have happened in the midst of it, which could be something that we all could at times take for granted, like breathing.

The holidays can be rough, but choose to do a little something to boost your mood each day. Do something that makes you happy. Your house doesn’t have to scream with holiday cheer, but if you mustered up enough enthusiasm to just hang up some lights and a few knick-knacks, be proud of yourself!