Day 2 – What’s Even Better Than Getting It Perfect This Christmas?

Welcome to your De-Stress Your Christmas Advent Calendar count-down – day 2! Today we’re dealing with your inner perfectionist…

Is Christmas bringing out your Inner Perfectionist? Is your Inner Critic having the biggest party of all?

The Holiday Season does something to us that no other time of year can. Think about your summer holiday – did you get as stressed about choosing the right flip flops and beach towel as you do about Christmas gifts and celebrations?

What is it about this time of year that means your Inner Perfectionist steals the limelight?

After all, Christmas is about love, and the message that the celebration of the birth of Jesus brings to the world. Whether or not you’re Christian, it’s about family and friends and caring and joy and laughter – not stressing about whether your present bows match the paper perfectly or exactly how you should cook the sprouts on the big day.

Here’s a message inspired by something my old mentor used to remind me, when I was getting stressed about launching a course and had lost my perspective:

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Perfectionism is a trait that runs through many of us and rarely more so than at Christmas.

It shows itself in so many different ways, but it always has a common theme – it causes stress.

Whilst we might long to get Christmas absolutely perfect, if a few things drop off the table (metaphorically!), chances are no one will notice.

Are there any areas of your Christmas planning where you might be going a bit too far?

How about going back to basics and doing some prioritising?

What could you let go of? How much less stressed would you feel?
Surely it’s worth it?

Need some help?

Bonus: Is It Time To Revisit Your ABC?

Here’s a quick process you can use to regain perspective – click on the image to dive in now!

Click here to read your cheat sheet online.

To download it, right click here and choose ‘save as’ or similar.

I’d love to hear how you get on with this, via the comments.
If you enjoyed this article, then here’s where you can find the rest of your Advent Calendar – and scroll down to register for a free quick reminder, so you catch each instalment – AND a gift copy of my book: 101 Ways To De-Stress Your Christmas.

I would LOVE to hear how you got on with today’s message, via the comments.
Do you have an Inner Perfectionist running at Christmas? How do you handle it?
How did the ‘cheat sheet’ help?

See you tomorrow with Day 3, when I’ll be spilling the beans on why a Fairy Tale Christmas might be the last thing you need…

With love, Namaste,

Day 1 – How One Little Word Can Instantly Buy You More Time & De-Stress Your Christmas

Welcome to your De-Stress Your Christmas Advent Calendar count-down! Today we’re starting with the number one mistake that most people make, which means Christmas is exhausting, rather than exhilarating.

Are you falling into the ‘Christmas Superhero’ trap?

Classic Warning Signs:

Having a ‘to do’ list that’s longer than a roll of toilet paper
Lying awake at night, remembering all the things you forgot to do today – and already worrying about the things you haven’t done tomorrow
Saying ‘yes’ waaaay more than you say ‘no’
Realising that every time the phone rings, it’s someone else asking you for help – and you say yes – again
Really looking forward to Christmas being over…

Here’s a Christmas answer:

You don’t have to do it all yourself.

Even Santa has elves.

If those around you seem reluctant to help, there are fun and creative ways you could persuade them to join in.

And, even if you’re a super-helpful ‘yes’ person most of the year, Christmas really is the time when you should let other people get involved.
For example, Christmas decorating can be really good fun, if you get family or friends involved. How about throwing a “cup of tea and tree decorating” party?

My next door neighbours from when I was a kid create the most incredible Christmas Grotto in every room of their house.
They have a chorus of singing, bell-ringing monks, a full-sized laughing Santa and every wall and ceiling is covered in dark blue crepe paper, with thousands of delicate silver stars.

For kids, it really is quite magical. But it takes them so long to do!
Nowadays they use it to raise money for their local charities.

But you don’t have to go that far.
If you’re stressed, don’t put yourself under pressure. Decide how much decorating you want to do, allot a time for it and enjoy it.

As for other aspects of Christmas that might be stressing you: how about taking 5 minutes to job down some key areas now where you’d secretly like some help? Don’t let your excuses about why people won’t help put you off from asking. They might just surprise you!

How could you get creative about roping in some elves?

Bonus: Want To Know How One Little Word Can Help You Find More Time This Christmas?

And if doing it all yourself is a long-term habit for you, you could do a bit of self-coaching – here’s a short video to help you with my favourite Christmas-de-stressing word.

It is a usually bonus only for my Backstage Pass members and this video is yours, as my Christmas-de-stressing gift, today. I really hope it helps you.And when you have watched it, how about letting me know via the comments:

What have you been saying too much ‘yes’ too?
Is there anything you’re going to let go of?
When will you next practise saying ‘no’?

Click to share your answers on Facebook

If you enjoyed this article, then here’s where you can find the rest of your Advent Calendar.

See you tomorrow with Day 2!