Opting Out

The weeks from Thanksgiving to sometime around the beginning of January really are the most wonderful time of the year. There is nothing like that Christmas feeling in the air. But, along with all of the wonderful things, it also seems that Christmas is the most stressful time of year--and we make it this way! Between Christmas cards, Christmas parties, preparing goodies for neighbors, shopping for gifts, wrapping the gifts, traveling, decorating, and all of the other fun and wonderful things we traditionally do each year, we kill ourselves off during the most beautiful and meaningful time of the year.

This year, I started December with a load of stress. My list included:

• Decorating the house
• Taking pictures
• Sending Christmas cards/letter
• Taking treats to neighbors
• Christmas shopping
• Wrapping gifts
• Celebrating Whitney's birthday
• Preparing to leave for Seattle
• Family Time

And, on top of all of this, I still have to do the daily/weekly tasks of cleaning the house, doing the laundry, caring for the kids, preparing meals, etc.

After thinking about all of these things for quite a while, I decided that I'm opting out. I am rebelling against the stress of the season by eliminating the unnecessaries this year.
Instead of worrying about how the decorations look, I did what I could and didn't worry about the rest. I decided that we're not taking pictures for now, (although I did decide on what I'd like us to wear). Christmas cards were also tossed onto the chopping block. Taking treats to neighbors was also done away with for now. Wrapping hasn't even started yet...and will most likely wait until we're in Seattle so I don't have to worry about damage in-transit. Next week is when I have slated to finish up preparations to leave for Seattle. Some things you just can't do weeks in advance...and this is one of them!

Obviously, there are some things that still have to be done--but by eliminating most of the higher-stress tasks, I am enjoying a much more peaceful Christmas season. I realize that I'm probably just too much of a perfectionist, so it's kind of an all or nothing thing with me. But, honestly, if doing "nothing" is what it takes for me to truly enjoy this holiday season, then so be it!