My parents live out of state and visited for several days over the Thanksgiving holiday. We had a wonderful visit and I enjoyed our time together. But I was mindful of my tendency to focus on my to-do list during this busy season instead of simply relaxing and enjoying their company.
I don’t want to regret the way I spent my time when my children are gone from home and my parents have passed away. I want my loved ones to know they are important to me. I demonstrate that when I make time for them.
It’s easy to overload our schedule this time of year with shopping, Christmas parties, and other social events. But if we fail to leave time for our family, we neglect the most important item on our list.
Balancing our time includes saying no. We don’t have to go to every Christmas luncheon we are invited to or volunteer at every function we hear about. But it’s important to make time for our children’s Christmas programs and recitals.
Finding balance during the holiday season for me also includes taking time for exercise and watching what I eat. During the Thansksgiving break, I noticed a sluggishness toward the end of the week. I’m certain it was a result of too much sugar and not enough exercise during the break. So, I re-committed to healthier eating and consistent exercise to give me the energy I need for the holiday season.
As we begin the busiest month of the year, it’s a great time to evaluate our schedules and determine what’s important to us. We are given once chance to live each day. I don’t want to look back with regret. I want to look forward with anticipation. How about you?
Is your schedule overloaded? How will you find balance?
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Holiday Tips for Stepfamilies: Live One Day at a Time
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