As Tom and I were making our way through Target for one of many Christmas meals shopping trips, I eagerly grabbed a package of pre-cut meats, looked up at Tom with twinkles in my eyes and optimistically said, “I’m going to make roses out of these!” Before he could even shift the expression on his face, I burst out laughing on the absurdity of what I had simply said. I guess sometimes we have to listen to ourselves say loopy issues to ensure that us to realize simply how loopy they sound. In that split second, I made the choice to opt out of meat styling this Christmas. Before I inform you why, you probably want to know why within the world this was one factor I had my coronary heart set on within the primary place? Let’s begin…
Where the meat styling obsession got here from
The different and potentially wiser I get the extra I realize simply how quickly pointless ideas sneak their way into our subconscious. This year’s meat rose ordeal snuck in when I was innocently scrolling Pinterest for some Christmas charcuterie board ideas.
I consider myself to be a little bit of a meals connoisseur, and love placing collectively a pretty, tasty charcuterie spread. With wide eyes and an excessive amount of confidence, I stumbled upon images like these…
Seriously…that factor is gorgeous. Let’s not think I’m crapping on individuals who create masterpieces like these. I am a sucker for well plated foods, and meticulously crafted spreads like this…as lengthy as I am not the one doing them.
While I could spend hours watching cooking shows and TikToks of different people placing collectively delectable delicacies, I have learned sufficient about myself to know that if I were to try one factor like this, it would discover yourself a little one factor like this…
Bringing Joy vs. Bringing Anxiety
Sometimes at Christmas, I think we get our wires all mixed up. The radio is constantly pumping jams like, “Jingle Bell Rock,” everywhere we go smells like cookies, and everywhere we glance is roofed in twinkly lights and glitter.
I’m satisfied that when combined, all of these issues hack our senses and trick us into believing that a magical, over-the-top Christmas is not solely necessary, however completely doable for one solitary human being. Remember, even Santa has his personal little sweat store of Elves working round the clock.
We want the gifts wrapped perfectly, the perfect Christmas outfit (another factor I’m opting out of), and meals that appears too good to eat. (But they had higher eat it, damnit.)
Thankfully I became fully conscious of Christmas hacking my senses and tricking me into thinking I am able to far greater than I actually am and have slowly learned how to outsmart the system.
It all boils down to one question, “Is this going to bring extra pleasure or extra anxiety?“
The tricky half is, you want to first know what brings you joy, because what brings pleasure is different for every particular person person. I have no doubt that there are people on the market who go right into a zenned out state of bliss as they roll salami right into a floral arrangement, I am not one of these people. Meticulousness makes my eyes twitch and blood boil. Therefore, I knew it was time to take away it from my Christmas to do list.
Keep your main thing, the main thing
I love the way Joshua Becker places it in his list of 10 Simple Christmas Truths We Need to Remind Ourselves of Every Year.
Each of us will outline our vacation “main thing” differently. Many will search spiritual renewal. Some will celebrate family. Some will refocus on giving to others. Some will search rest. Some will put apart this year to recollect the passing of a loved one. Others will consider the chance to consider the passing year and refocus on the next. Many will select a mixture of the above.
Joshua Becker – Becoming Minimalist
At the finish of the day (every day really), if we can center our focus on the big thing, the main thing, what we actually want out of our days, we usually tend to head into the New Year with a way of rest, renewal and precise joy. Plus, if we can carry that mentality into the New Year, maybe we’ll have a greater grip on what sort of resolutions to set if we set any at all!
What I think I can do vs. What I am succesful of
While I rarely do that myself across the enterprise of the holidays, one factor I have gotten into the practice of doing every day earlier than I begin my day is making use of minimalism to my schedule.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Do a mind dump of everything you want to do (shop, host, feed)
- Circle the issues you have to do (get food)
- Begin crossing out pointless issues (sculpt the meat)
This can be tricky to do because a lot of times we’re carrying across the beliefs of what we “have to” do which have been handed down to us.
You don’t “have to” partake in Secret Santa at work if cash is tight at home.
You don’t have to create a beautiful centerpiece when you’re already making an entire meal from scratch.
You don’t have to put on a model new dress if you have one in your closet you continue to love from final year.
This Christmas can all of us agree to let go of these beliefs that are holding us again from showing up, conserving our energy and being fully current for the moments that actually matter? I think we could all use a little presence, don’t you?
Need extra joy?
If you want a little extra Christmas slowdown inspo, check out this Unstuffed Podcast episode that includes Sophie Cliff the place we talk about how to outline pleasure within the ordinary and what it takes to be fully present.