Flourish into the Holiday Season

Intalment One of The 5 minute inspiration series to make your Christmas the best one ever

Today there are just 47 days till Kirihimete, Christmas. The holiday that people overspend, ramp up stress levels and collapse into the day exhausted. Well how about we change that this year and make this the Christmas where not only do we all look like we have our shit together, in our Christmas outfit and breakfast bubbles in hand, but we also feel like we do because we have created the day that we want.

Marketing companies have convinced us that Christmas should look a certain way. If you have young kids no doubt you are being bombarded by both them and media about this years "must have" toy or gadget. For those of us without young kids in our ecosystem our clever algorithms on our social media sites start showing things like must have matching pyjamas, exquisite jewellery for the season (how the fek did jewellery get a season??) and decadent food that look like chefs have created but they assure you it will only take you a moment - it never takes a moment, nothing for the first time ever takes just a moment (well except those hormone fuelled fumbly encounters in the back seat of a car - they normally only take a moment).

So e hoa, how about together we filter out the noise, get clear on the day we want to create and then for the next few weeks go about curating and gathering great food, thoughtful gifts and wonderful people.

First up do you know what kind of day (or days for those of you with lots of whānau to get around) you want? You probably don't. You are probably also thinking "well it's not about me" its about making the day special for my kids, my other half, my parents (well it might be their last one you know) or a multitude of other people. Am I wrong?

Humour me a moment to consider this. You want to create a day that makes everyone else happy because you love them right? So how come you are taking away their ability to do the same for you? How about this Kirihimete instead of you doing it all for them, you allow everyone to do it for each other? Ah have you started laughing, have you thought "yeah right" , have you thought "they wouldn't do a thing!" Well just have a think as we continue.

To create the day you want you need to know what kind of day you want. So today's focus is getting clear on that. Grab a pen and paper and write down the things about Christmas that bring you joy. Is it the Christmas tree decorated a certain way, is there a movie or song that's a joy trigger. Is there a special dish that you must have because its delicious or because it triggers wonderful memories of kai shared with loved ones who may no longer be with us physically. Is there a smell or is there a tradition that you love or people you just can't be without . Write them all down.

After you have finished your list take a moment and check in with yourself. Does everything on that list really create joy for you? Or are there things on it that you think you must have there? Take a pen and put a cross through anything that doesn't fill you with warm fuzzies and excitement.

It's not to say that the other things/people won't form part of your day, it's just about getting clear on what are joy triggers for you and making sure that these things are part of your day.

Over the next couple of days things may pop into your head - add them onto this list - or cross them off!

Now how about that thought that we might get others to help create the day with you? Still not convinced? How about you at least ask them whether they would like to help create a wonderful Christmas this year so it's a Christmas that they will enjoy too? Sure they might say "I don't care" or "Nah that's your thing" but they may also say that would be awesome.

Even if they don't want to help how about asking them what they would like - and not assuming that what you've done every year is something that they actually care about! Is there anything on the day that they would be gutted wasn't there or didn't happen? Again they may just grunt and say "whatever" but if they do let them know that if anything pops into their heads to let you know.

And now e hoa, you have just got clear on what pieces are going to make the wonderful day which is about to be created over the next few weeks - ka rawe! Our next post will cover the sometimes ugly and uncomfortable topic of money - getting clear on priorities, setting the budget, getting in control of the finances and ensuring we are focusing on the important stuff.

Take care, spread kindness and give abundantly

xx