This isn’t going to be your typical December blog post. I feel like every year around this time, many coaches (myself included) are already talking about how to survive the Christmas period with your family crowding you and causing arguments.
This year, of course, we won’t be crowded around the same table. And since there has been little else to look forward to, Christmas has kind of started early.
I do really love Christmas and after this year I think we need as much festive decoration as possible. However, I am having some decorating (non-festive) done at home and so the tree, the lights and the baubles are going to have to wait a week or two.
So, I'm going to move off the Christmas subject for now. Is that ok?
Today I wanted instead to talk to you about finding joy in the small things.
It’s cold and dark outside, and we are all lacking in sunshine and human interaction. So let’s look at some really simple joys that we have likely been overlooking, and recalibrate our mood a little.
Fall back on a hobby, old or new
Whatever you are doing this December, it always helps to have a hobby or anything that you are interested in and love doing from time to time.
In other words, a focus to keep you off the sofa and away from the TV.
Don’t get me wrong I love watching the TV but when I have a night off from it, I might read or even just potter about doing bits and pieces, I actually feel quite refreshed before I go to bed.
Save your sanity by doing something that uses your brain, your body, or both if you’re really clever.
Over the next few weeks, now that I have some downtime coming, I am going to revisit some activities that I’ve been missing.
Not inspired yet? Why not find something new? Make a list of things that you like, or are curious about, and go search the Internet for new ideas.
Making things, for example, can be really rewarding, both soothing and using your brain at the same time. Scrolling through my Instagram feed the other day, I saw that a friend of mine was getting back into candle making, and is making all her Christmas presents – so there’s a win win.
A client has been baking loads of Christmas cakes, she does her own every year and people have always wanted her to make one for them but she’s not had the time before. So this year she has taken orders and is bringing in some extra money doing something she loves.
Oops, just realised I wasn’t supposed to be talking about Christmas…
Bring some outside in
In the winter months we are seriously lacking in daylight and nature. It’s great to get outside as much as you can but if you can’t get outside much, then try getting creative with this too.
A friend of mine is in a flat, and she has a birdfeeder stuck onto her window, so she still gets to watch the birds. This brings the nature right to her. And as it encourages her to drink her tea by the window, she inadvertently gets more daylight exposure too.
You could try houseplants as another way to bring a little outside in. Or if the darkness troubles you, try a daylight simulation lamp.
Change up your usual tipple
Okay, this one could be a little festive – but only if you want it to be.
Simple things like our morning tea or coffee bring us those little moments of joy – but when did you last try something new?
You could try a different coffee brewing method, or go all in with a YouTube cocktail making tutorial. You get to have some fun and learn some new skills as you go.
Routine is all well and good, but when life is feeling repetitive and restricted like it does right now, this is the time to focus on the joy of small changes.
Think about when you last noticed yourself feeling joy. What were you doing? Now think about how you could replicate that at home in the month of December, and what fun spin could you put on it?
And lastly, come and follow me on Instagram if you haven’t already. I’m going to be posting more tips and examples on there, and I’d love to see what you’re getting up to, so do tag me in your posts.