Can someone tell me how it's almost Thanksgiving? I had plans for this year. Big Honkin Plans. Oh, the things I was going to do!
I did some of them. I'll give myself credit there. This blog was on the list. The year, taken as a whole, has been fairly productive.
But month to month? Week to week? Let's not even talk about day to day. It all goes by so fast!
And then... and this deserves a drum roll... the Holidays strike.
It starts with the glorious joy of Halloween. I'll be honest with you. I don't trust anyone who doesn't like Halloween. Seriously, how does that happen? There's so many Halloweens to choose from! Cute, spoopy, spooky (two entirely different themes), creepy, terrifying. It's a fabulous launch to the rest of the year.
But then it's over and suddenly it's November and you realise, then end of the year is right there. You can see it. It's a quick tip over the top of the hill to slide inevitably down on a sled made made of "no, wait!"
What's a mere mortal to do?
There's a great thought about chasing your passions (in my case, writing): you make time for it no matter what. It has to become your entire focus or nothing happens.
Ehhhhhhh. Dunno about that.
On a good day, yes. On a bad day, when rent is due and it's just not there or kids need to be ferried about or your neighbor fell off a ladder or or or... well, Life has a way of laughing at plans. Never moreso than now.
My best advice is to plan around. Know what your holiday obligations are going to be and how much time you'll need to tend them. Carve out time as you can and be firm with those moments. Be unavailable, "no matter what", for 30 minutes a morning while you break your fast (frappucino and donuts, anyone?) and use that time to ponder projects and jot down notes.
Without guilt. That's the critical bit here. No guilt. And no getting caught up in your projects. Honour the time you've set aside, then go celebrate. Or endure, as the case may be.
One holiday will pass and the next will roll in. Between, dive back in... at the same pace as before. Don't try to make up for "lost" time. Return to your regularly scheduled schedule.
If you don't celebrate the holidays, brace yourself for frustrations from those who do. Timelines will get wonky, responses will languish. You still may not get a lot done. But you'll have free reign and lighter traffic for everything you can do yourself. Cherish it. The New Year gets everyone riled up and productive for a week or two.
This time of year doesn't have to be a time sink. But it does require a firmer hand with yourself and your timing. Think of it as a recipe... do your mise en place now so you can enjoy dessert later.
However you do or do not celebrate, I offer you the best of wishes and deepest gratitude for your presence in my world!
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