How I Am Taking Care of Myself
This Holiday Season 🎁
Every year around this time, we are all somehow busier than ever. Whether we’re trying to finish up last minute shopping, attending every holiday party you’ve been invited to, or making sure you’re hitting your goals at work to score that extra end of the year bonus… it quite honestly is the craziest time of year. I personally have felt the struggles of being overwhelmed during the holiday season, and I know first hand how hard it can be to take time for yourself while worrying about so many other things! That being said, my hope with this post is that I can help you to stop and take some time to make the most out of this holiday season. We’ve only got a short time left of this year, let’s make the most of it!!
One common topic of discussion during this time of year is resolutions. Have we accomplished our resolutions for the year and what will our new ones be in the new year? This can often lead to feelings of disappointment if we were not able to accomplish everything we had hoped for the year. While we all have good intentions at the start of each year with these resolutions, life happens and may not always allow space for those intentions to come to fruition. I believe that life happens FOR us, not TO us, and whatever adversity or redirection we face is meant to be in our favor. So, if this year was supposed to be “your year” and it felt like it was the exact opposite, do NOT get down on yourself. If there were some tough trials and turbulence along the way, I can guarantee that you are a more refined version of yourself now than at the beginning of the year. Regardless if you were able to check those New Year's Resolutions off your list or not. Life may not have gone the way you envisioned it, but I am confident that you grew in more ways than you know and you are going into the new year as a stronger version of you. I highly encourage you to take some time today to reflect on this past year and the areas you have grown. Be kind to yourself and give yourself credit for all that you have done and all of the adversity you have overcome.
Another area of heightened focus during the holidays is foooood. With all the holiday celebrations going on, your “normal” eating and workout habits may look a bit different. I spent many years of my life trying to maintain my routine with food and working out during the holidays. This led me to have many restrictive years during the holidays in the past (many of those years came from my bodybuilding era) and that didn’t allow me to fully enjoy time off with my friends and family. Looking back on that time of my life now makes me never want to live that way again. Memories, traditions, family time, and allowing yourself time to let loose is so much more important than sticking to a “diet” or a workout routine. Find a balance that allows you to FEEL good. Whatever you eat and whatever movement you are missing out on will not ruin all the progress you have made. Enjoy, and then get back into your routine again in January!
Last but not least, I know this time can be extra hard on many people for reasons completely unrelated to resolutions or food. Some have lost loved ones, some may be spending holidays alone and others may simply not like the holidays because of the memories this time brings up. To those of you that may fall in one of those categories, please know that I am sending you all of my love this season and God is always with you. It is okay to not be okay. Make room for yourself to feel those feelings and do something kind for yourself. My heart is with you.
I hope this has helped remind us all to be kind to one another and also to be kind to ourselves! Don’t forget to hug your loved ones extra tight and have the best holiday!
