self-care season approaches
As I write this, it’s a cold November day here in Houston — drizzly, highs squarely in the 40s. I’ve got the fire going, and I’m working in my living room, trying to get the last touches done for LIME, which happens Saturday.
Occasionally, in between working, my mind wanders, and it strikes me that we’re about 2 weeks out from our anniversary of getting the keys to this house. They were put in our hot little hands on November 30th, 2018. And then, the whirlwind began: Marcus’ sister and her family flew in from England three weeks later, to spend a couple of weeks with us over the holidays. This meant that we had to buy things immediately for our home. Like a fridge. And a washer and a dryer.
And beds. (Related: you have never seen so much IKEA built in such little time. Marcus’ facility with an allen wrench is legendary.)
We ended up having an amazing time with them last Christmas — it turns out that having family you love, baking up a storm, and generally celebrating the holiday season is a great way to break in a home — but afterwards, Marcus, Alex and I face-planted for about a week, trying to recover from the rush of getting our house together in anticipation. Honestly, I remember very little of those 3 weeks prior to our family arriving.
This year, however, after LIME I don’t have anything pressing on my calendar for the rest of the year. We’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, with my family and close friends, but since we’re all moved in, it doesn’t feel like a lot of work. We haven’t planned on what’s happening for Christmas yet, but it will likely be local (and probably at our house as well). But that’s it.
I know that the holidays can be incredibly stressful as a general rule, but I’ve gotten pretty good and minimizing the stress as much as possible, as far as the rushing-around-trying-to-complete-all-the-things part. I buy all my gifts online (I refuse to set foot in a mall anytime from about mid-November to mid-January). We make big feast meals together as a family. I have my fire going as much as Houston weather will let me. I make sure I get enough sleep, and I’m well-stocked on my favourite teas.
I double-down on self care, is what I’m saying.
So think of this as a little reminder that part of making the holidays magical means taking care of yourself as much as you can. Actually schedule down time in your calendar every day, if that’s what it takes. Ramp up your daily gratitude practice. Spend time with your camera. Go outside.
Do what you gotta do, friends. Recommit to going gentle for the remainder of the year.
(For NaBloPoMo 2019. This is day 14.)