From the mat - Let's do less.

I am so lucky to have such incredible clients and the opportunity to teach a very chatty class full of moms where we get to laugh and sweat together! Here are some topics that are coming up for us that I think are helpful. Feel free to add yours in the comments or reach me directly!

The holidays are approaching and people are decorating, scheduling, and doing. 

It is getting harder and harder each year as the kids get older to find time for US parents. Between the tree trimming and making the magic, this time of year is really exhausting. The holidays are overwhelming before you add in school concerts, parties, and extra shopping. My kids asked me why our house doesn’t have an elf, (they are 6 and 7), and I tell them that they’re too good to have someone spying on them. My 7 year-old then whispered to my 6yo, “Piper! This means we need to start being really naughty!”. Cue my sighing. 

I think most of us have great boundaries, but as the kids get older, and more opinionated, this can get harder. Having the conversation early about what we do vs what other homes do can be really important. Some people celebrate different holidays than we do, some people have elves, some families cut down their own tree, some families travel, etc. Having this conversation that we are not here to copy other’s traditions is very helpful the earlier you can have it. We all have our own set points and interests. This is something I struggle with too. I love seeing everyone’s immaculately decorated home, but it’s not something that I value or am interested in pursuing in my own home. 

Asking for help is a hard thing to do- but this is the time of year to do it. 

No one can do it all. 

It seems we are more than happy to help others, but not ask for help ourselves. So let’s take baby steps.

You can ask a friend to grab that present you forgot at the mall so you don’t have to. You can coordinate rides to school assemblies so you aren’t dragging your 2 year old along to a piano concert during her bedtime. You can hire people to clean your house. You can shop online. You can ask the family visiting you to take your kiddos to the Zoo lights so you can wrap presents with your partner. You can get a fake tree and take your kids to the tree farm for hot cocoa and a wreath. The short cuts are the saviors. 

We all know that wonderful feeling that we get when we’ve helped someone out. It feels SO good to be that for another person. Let’s accept that it is a gift to have the two hands we were given. Allow someone else to get that cozy feeling without the guilt. We will all be better off for it. 

What is one way you can step back and ask for help this year?

What is one thing you can offer to a friend to take something off her plate? 

Happy Holidays, 

SA