As you probably know by know  that when the holidays roll around, so do my holiday blues. These seasonal blues also make a recurrence during the Summertime, but the Christmas season is always tough for me to handle. This year I’m approaching the holidays completely different, and so far the blues have stayed far away.

I decided to look at what stresses me out the most, and do my best to avoid it. This also means, saying no, and skipping out on holiday events, but so far it is working. I’ve moved my focus from trying to be at everything, and trying to do everything, instead I simply do what matters to me most. I spend extra time with my kids, and I am looking forward to spending Christmas with my family too.

Crowded stores, anxious shoppers, spending needlessly are all big anxiety triggers for me. This year I’ve passed the shopping duties on to my husband. I take care of the cooking, and homemade presents, but the majority if the gift shopping is up to him. This has really helped me this season. There are plenty of presents, but there isn’t a stressed out me.

I’ve also de-cluttered the house a little bit every week. The influx of Christmas presents can induce an OCD driven panic attack faster than anything, so I’m trying to keep the clutter to a minimum.

It is an old cliche, but less truly is more. I want myself and my kids to be appreciative of what we have, and be grateful for what we are given. The most important gift I can think of is time with family. To make sure that I get to spend as much time as I can with them on Christmas day, I’m keeping everything simple. The Christmas menu is simple, the gifts are simple, and the decorating is simple. The logic of less is more  has simply made me happy.

I have been enjoying the holiday season more this year. I loved going to the Christmas parade with the kids, and decorating the house for Christmastime too. I’ve sipped my favorite coffee, and even had fun wrapping the presents, well before Christmas eve. This time of the year I am usually a stressed out-worried mess staying up way too late to make everything perfect for guests arrival. Not this year, this year is completely different.

So if you struggle with holiday blues and anxiety too, I just want you to know that you are not alone… This season can be a beautiful one, but one that can bring  along some holiday troubles too. I do believe that this Christmas will be a great one, and I hope a little less stressful too.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a very happy holiday season too.