With the end of the year coming up it can feel like we are being pulled in a million different directions.
A lot about this time of year seems to be about excess – whether It is filling up that social calendar until you don’t have time to breathe; remembering all the presents you need to buy; or going above and beyond with spending in general – everything we do seems to be to the maximum at this time of year. And whilst it can be fun, or at least a novelty for a while, it can be overwhelming and draining on our physical health; mental health; and finances.At the same time, we don’t want to let people down.So what do we do?
My first piece of advice: pace yourself. Both literally and figuratively, learning to pace yourself is a skill that will serve you will into the future, and not only in the festive season. Pacing ourselves enables us to play the long game without burning out in the process. Whether that comes from mental and/or physical exhaustion from attending endless social events; the physical side effects from getting “too festive” a little too often; or from spending up more than we can potentially afford; if we continue to operate at full (or more than full) capacity in any one area for long enough, eventually our brains, bodies (and bank accounts) will force us to stop.
Second of all: prioritise. Do you have a small group of friends that like to celebrate “Christmas Month”? Maybe just pick the two most important (or appealing) events. Does your workplace have multiple Christmas parties? You might find yourself “having other plans” for some of them. Got a huge family and are expected to buy presents for all of them? Consider suggesting pooling with others. There is often a lot of peer pressure as well as FOMO around this time of year, so it can be hard to blatantly turn down invitations. Other times, we are more expected to participate, rather than be invited. In these cases, there is nothing wrong with getting a little creative with why you can’t go. You never know, your kids/spouse/sibling may have already booked you for that day!
Third and finally: know your limits.If you know you are an introvert, there is no sense in expecting yourself to attend endless social events for six weeks.If you are tight on cash, set a budget early and stick to it.Or if you feel yourself burning out, take some time out to have some down time.This time of the year can be amazing as long as we can navigate it in a way that works for us.
OCD is best described as a separate entity that lives in ones own mind.
If you are interested in discussing any of the points further, we would be more than happy to hear from you. Feel free to send an email to admin@youmatterpsychologists.com.au and we will answer any questions you may have.
