How I Avoid Anxiety

My son came home with a school project yesterday that is due in three weeks. I definitely sensed his nervousness about getting it all done. So many moving pieces to pull together!

So, like a good mama, I helped him plan it out. 😉

I suggested breaking up the weeks into phases of PLANNING, DOING AND FINALIZING.

This week: PLANNING (creating an outline, writing a script and figuring out what he needs)

Next week: DOING (recording the video and creating storyboards)

Third week: FINALIZING (editing and putting the final touches together)

“What do you think?” I asked him.

He was grinning ear to ear.

It’s amazing how much anxiety melts away by simply:

 Having a plan.

This got me thinking about the random bouts of anxiety that have crept up on me about the upcoming holidays.

It happened at Target where sleigh bells and stockings doused the aisles.

It happened at the gym where holiday donation boxes overflowed the entrance.

It happened at the grocery store where Holiday Card posters plastered the windows.

Immediate knots in my stomach and an uneasy feeling in my throat. “What if we don’t have one good family photo from the whole year!?”

Good news though.

We can plan our time into three doable phases, just like my little guy’s project.

Here’s what I’m thinking. We have:

** About 20 days left in October. **

** About 20 days in November (before Thanksgiving festivities). **

** About 20 days in December before the holiday madness kicks in. **

Which is awesome because it gives us equal time for: Planning, Doing and Finalizing.

Keep reading if you’re in for making a plan, losing anxiety and enjoying the holidays. 🙂

Let’s talk October: the PLANNING phase.

You have three weeks left to plan stuff out. This includes:

• Meals
• Gifts
• Travel plans
• Home projects
• Decorations

And anything else you might be thinking about.

I suggest 5 or 6 separate lists ALL IN ONE PLACE. Like, ONE holiday notebook with different sections or ONE Evernote notebook with different notes (if you’re a digital person like me).

One place friend. This is going to help you tremendously over the next three months, not to mention with next year’s planning too.

Think of this month as brainstorming time.

For example, on your gifts list you will list everyone you want to get a gift for. I’m talking everyone.

Your postal carrier, hairdresser, neighbor, third cousin – plus all your close friends and family. One column has their names and the next column has a gift idea.

Yes, this takes time. Yes, this is not so easy.

But it is SO MUCH less stressful to do the heavy lifting now than to spend hours, days and weekends aimlessly walking around the mall in December, stressing over what to buy. (You know it will happen!)

(For more tips on how to make this part of the holidays easier, click here for an awesome resource). But finish reading through this first!)

Next, continue to create your lists for Travel, Things to Get Done Around the House, Meals etc. If this seems overwhelming, remember you do not (and should not) plan to do this all in one sitting.

You have almost three weeks.

Plan out 30 minutes a day to work on this and I promise you, you’ll be amazed how much you get through in just 3-4 days.

And by the end of the month, you will be so unbelievably excited about your plan and feel a deep sense of peace. (I do hope you’ll report back to me).

Let’s talk November, your DOING phase.

Now that you have a plan in place it’s time to execute. That means looking at your lists and prioritizing the things that need to happen first.

For example, if you’re hosting Thanksgiving, work on the tasks for those related lists. Get your home projects done, check out your linens, buy the canned or frozen groceries ahead of time.

Your December holidays are your second priority (but are still important to be working on over the month).

Since you have your handy dandy organized gift list, you can start picking up items, ordering them online, or making trips to check items off your list.

By the end of this month, you should have picked up enough momentum and gotten so much done that you feel really good about getting into December, the FINALIZING phase.

This is the time you’re wrapping gifts, writing cards and packing for trips. But most importantly it’s the time you can enjoy because you’ve been working hard the last couple of months.

This is not the time for perfectionism, high expectations and stressful all nighters.

But a time for you to enjoy the process.

I know, it sounds crazy. But the more you recognize every bow doesn’t have to match, and in fact, every gift doesn’t need a bow. That every napkin doesn’t have to be pressed, and every plan doesn’t unveil itself perfectly, the more you will appreciate your efforts.

How do you allow yourself this peace?

It all starts with a plan.

Just like my son’s anxiety plummeted about his overwhelming project, your holiday anxiety will melt away too – when you have a plan.

I’m so super excited for you to get this plan into action.

In fact, you know it’s THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE.

What are the lists you will create this week for the PLANNING PHASE? 

Remember, all in one place. With ALL. THE. DETAILS.

Your first step in staying accountable? Let me know you’re going to do it, in that beautiful little comment box below.

I know you’re up for the challenge. And more importantly, I know you’re committed to bringing more peace and joy to your life.

Planning will get you there my sweet friend.

I can’t wait to help you get started, cheer you on and help you succeed.

To less stress, more joy and making things simpler!

XOXO,
Mridu