When we think of the holidays there’s often a rush of emotions, but this year I want to make sure you’re not too busy focusing on your work that you forget to take time to just live and explore those emotions. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 key tips to embracing the holidays and the hustle, so that you can be in control of what this season looks like for you!

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“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”

5 Key Tips for Embracing the Holidays & the Hustle (2:58)

1. Daily Stress Relievers (3:03)
2. Creating a Work Schedule (5:02)
3. Experience Existing and/or Create New Traditions (6:18)
4. Shop Small (9:25)
5. Gifting Something for Yourself (10:17)

Review the Transcript:

Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life. Today’s quote helps remind us to embrace the hustle and flow through seasons, but always remember why we’re working so hard in the first place. 

When we think of the holidays there’s often a rush of emotions. Some of us feel cozy, warm fuzzies thinking of the christmas lights, crackling fires and the joy of gift giving. Others feel the chaos brewing before Halloween, thinking of all the food prep, family anxiety and the expense, ohhh instead of seeing twinkly lights they see flashing dollar signs. Adulting during the holidays can be so expensive and honestly a killjoy,  thinking of creating all of the magic on your own.

Then there’s photographers and small business owners swimming in memory cards, flooded with emails and last minute cancelations, prepping for black friday launches and cramming late night editing sessions to get those holiday cards delivered on time. Work events, children’s plays and feeling like a family uber driver bouncing from house to house can be exhausting just thinking about it. Some of us are celebrating the holidays with matching reindeer plaid pajamas and others are happy to order chinese food on Christmas Day! No matter where you fall on the spectrum when it comes to your holiday season, it’s refreshing to know that you’re not alone. We’re all trying to juggle it all. Feeling flustered, blending families, creating new traditions and setting boundaries for your sanity.

Today, I’m happy to chat about hustle and the holidays. When your workload is making you feel overwhelmed with your hands full, then we toss on holiday parties, family drama and the urge to throw out your childhood ornaments for a monochromatic boho vibe for a perfectly curated social media post, it’s exhausting. Within the same day we’re attending a mastermind call, putting out fires in our business, digging up those black boots that have been shoved in the back of your closet and busting out 6 dozen homemade cookies for a cookie exchange – wishing you just bought them at the store. I see you.

What happened to the magic? What if the holidays brought us back to that childlike wonder? How do we prep for this season? Not only to feel more prepared, but to truly soak up these fleeting memories and bottle up the joy to share? 

Let’s dive into 5 Key Tips For Embracing The Holidays + Hustle 

Daily Stress Relievers 

• Coffee + Cards with the 5 minute affirmation journal,  starting each morning with intention and setting your day up for success. When I list out all my tasks I’m constantly prioritizing and creating action lists for the day. Adding exercising to my daily routine has significantly helped my mental health and keeps my ideas flooding. Signing up for the new gym in my neighborhood has brought so much good energy into my daily life. Having at least 4 hours of focused work per day has also helped me reach business goals. I’m such an intuitive worker and I’m constantly distracted, always starting new projects and whipping out my phone to create content. Planning distraction free time, really helps me feel productive. 

Work Schedule 

Making a plan and setting boundaries for your calendar is crucial for your mental health. Yes, talk with your family about hosting the actual holidays, but don’t forget to set deadlines for your clients as well. When is the absolute last day to book photo shoot before Christmas? Mark that down and then stick to it! Personally I stop photographing shoots after the first week of December so I can enjoy the week of my birthday without feeling stressed, then roll right into time off for Christmas and New Years. I’m a huge fan of adding buffer days after the holidays to simply rest and recharge. As an extroverted introvert, I need my quiet time after the rush of the holidays and busy work deadlines to check out and rest. Add those days to your calendar, too! Can’t take a full day off? Try a half day to skip out early! Speaking of your calendar and making plans, I highly encourage you to carve out time for your new favorite traditions

Traditions

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you can absolutely start creating your own traditions! Throw out the old ones or blend new family traditions, it’s totally up to you. I was raised with super long lasting traditions that I really do appreciate. We used to do mass on Christmas Eve and then my poppie and uncles would grill italian sausage at midnight. I remember those days at my uncle mickey’s dressed in velvet dresses and tap tap shoes, then somehow magically appearing in the suburban in my christmas pajamas being carried to bed.   Just because we’ve been doing these traditions forever doesn’t mean we can’t add our own spin on them or create brand spankin’ new ones! Want to plan a party with your girlfriends to drink wine in your pajamas and just hang out while you wrap gifts and watch cheesy hallmark movies? Do it. Want to decorate a parade of golf carts in your neighborhood and jam around to look at Christmas lights with your kiddos? Do it. Want to learn how to make raviolis yourself this year? Grab your sisters and your cousins! Do it. Want to volunteer at your local food bank? Ask your friends to join and do it. Want to plan a mob dance for your neighborhood’s breakfast with Santa. I mean, sounds like a lot of work, but if that would bring you joy just do it! Want to be the grinch and do absolutely NOTHING? That’s okay too! Maybe you prefer to be in Mexico for the holidays and sip a margarita in the sand. I just want to encourage you to make time for joy. Yes, you’ll be creating the magic for your loved ones, but don’t forget to gather and have fun! We work hard during the year and even though I’m my own boss, like you too! I love to think of the holidays as my own end of the year party! Leave room for magic and truly make time to rest and celebrate with your favorites. 

Shop Small

Gift giving is totally one of my love languages. I have a long list of friends and family members in my notes on my phone to jot down gift ideas throughout the year. It’s even more of a bonus when I can shop small and support other local small businesses. As a family we’ve cut way down of gift exchanges and just spoil the little ones, but I do love finding the perfect gift when I see it. Supporting local shops brings me so much joy and I love spending money to help others live their dream as well. 

Gifting Something For Yourself 

Speaking of gifts, don’t forget to spoil yourself this season. Mama’s plan for a much needed massage or spa day after the holidays to rejuvenate. Maybe you just need time to take a nap! It doesn’t need to cost anything, but definitely give yourself something to look forward to. Asking for help if needed and selfishly love yourself this season, too! 

Remember we have a family history of traditions and holiday hustle, but you’re in control of your emotions and your mental health. Set your boundaries, make time to just relax and play and always, always leave room for magic