All too soon we’re here again. Three days until Christmas and life is festively frantic. The social butterfly side of me is giddy with sparkly, happy vibes (I love Christmas – this week I bought a Father Christmas toilet seat cover, to the horror of my husband). However, the introvert side of me is cowering in a corner somewhere, packing away pork pies and cheeselets.
And so, while these dual personalities do battle; every single year without fail, I overdo it. We book in everyone we’ve ever known in the course of a few short weeks and by about the millionth evening of socialising, Prosecco, fatty food and chocolate, we’re both feeling under the weather.
This year we went away for the first two weeks of December so had a valid excuse to avoid some of the festivities. And when we returned, I was hopeful that our (at the time) clear diary would remain so. How naïve…
We’ve been home 9 days and (apart from sleeping) we’ve spent approximately 6-8 hours at home relaxing. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I thought I’d share my tips for taking good care of yourself at this genuinely lovely time of year, without ending up under a duvet in your pyjamas with the phone off the hook.
- It’s OK to say no
There’s a lot of pressure – from retailers, advertising, family and friends – to celebrate with absolutely every single one of your loved ones. This isn’t the case. As long as everyone who genuinely matters (and think this through carefully too. Do you really want to see your second cousin twice removed’s girlfriend for a drink?) receives some acknowledgement that you care – a card, a phone call, a text message or a face-to-face; you’ve done your bit. Learn to prioritise the invitations and don’t feel you simply must go to everything to save face.
- It’s OK if you’re less party animal, more dormouse
When your colleagues regale you with tales of their messy drunken activities and you feel a bit bashful about watching Love Actually with a hot chocolate in your pyjamas and heading to the land of nod at 9.30pm…don’t. It’s alright that you took just one night out of 30 to look after yourself.
- It’s OK to be festively plump
Everyone overeats and overdrinks at this time of year. I’m not condoning the seriously crazy excess that some people get into, but I’m also not going to start guilt-bashing you for eating that extra mince pie and having one too many glasses of mulled wine. Accept that you are going to over indulge and that will probably mean an extra couple of pounds. And make yourself a deal to address it after new year’s day. You’ll be craving a salad or three by then anyway.
- It’s OK to take a break
I know that taking leave at this time of year isn’t always easy, depending on your profession. But if you have the chance for just one additional day off; take it and use it for you. Even if you can’t avoid braving the crowds and shopping, make sure you come home and take half an hour to read your book, have a warm bath or watch your favourite programme. Christmas is indeed the season of giving, make sure you don’t forget yourself.
- It’s OK to have fun!
Make sure you celebrate the way you want to. A little bit of family-pleasing is a given, but when it comes to new year’s eve, those weird Twixmas days between the 26 and 31 December, and any other time you have spare; do what you want. If you’d prefer to celebrate at home, with Prosecco, beer and a Spotify Christmas playlist with friends, do it. Equally, if you want to go out and party the night away in a swanky club, have fun! Don’t get dragged into other people’s plans because you feel you should – do things your way.
Merry Christmas to all – may your lights be twinkly, your turkey tasty and your naps plentiful!
Family, feminism and frustrations 