Each year around this time... I get this surge of energy + anxiety to wrap things up for the year and plan ahead for the new year. I feel powered on to get shiz done, but I also tend to skew on the side of feelin’ overwhelmed. Who gets me? This year, however, I’m approaching the holiday season a bit differently.

As my wedding is quickly approaching, I’ve been working smarter, so I can take about a month off from work to truly enjoy this exciting milestone in my life. That means being very, very intentional about who and what gets my attention and saying ‘no’ to any additional projects that have a deadline between now and my February wedding.

In addition to simplifying my workload, I’m simplifying my mindset for the holidays. That pressure to “do all the things” and buy all the things… I’m letting that go. It’s a beautiful time of year that often gets stressful real quick when we lose sight of what it’s really about. While this time of year certainly looks different for everyone, at its core, it’s all about gratitude + togetherness. So, join me in simplifying the holidays by makin’ space for what really matters and showing up for yourself in the same way you show up for others.

Here are 5 things to let go of this holiday season:

1. Overspending

There’s no point in going into debt over presents, decorations, and holiday cards. While it seems mighty important in the moment to give the best gift or to have the most decked out tree… it’s only important until it’s not anymore. Then the season is over and you’re left with a hefty credit card bill. If you have a large family or friend group, propose doing a secret Santa instead of buying a gift for every individual person. Or rather than physical gifts, consider chipping in for one big family experience you can all enjoy together! Take the financial pressure off yourself. It’s truly the thought that counts.

2. Wasteful holiday decorations

There are so many low to zero-waste ways to cozy up your home for the holidays! Forget the blow up Santas, the seasonal throw pillows, and the random decorative knick knacks you picked up from a craft store. There are plenty of ways to make your home feel festive while also embracing a minimal mindset. You can decorate with real plants (hellooo, fresh eucalyptus), hang some LED string lights, and fill the air with holiday scents with an essential oil diffuser (Here’s MY FAVORITE for this time of year). Get creative and have fun with it!

3. Fighting the crowd on Black Friday + Day After Christmas

Growing up, my mom and I would show up at the mall at midnight and go shopping on Black Friday. It was a way for us to bond. We had a lot of fun, and looking back, it’s funny to see how much we’ve changed over the years. Now, as an adult, nothing about this sounds appealing. Crowds stress me out, and sifting through picked over clothing stresses me out. Plus, I’d always end up with a whole bunch of clutter I didn’t really need. “But, it’s on sale. Might as well get it!” We’ve all said it before, but just remember… if the price is the best reason for purchasing an item, then maybe that’s not a good enough reason. Check out My Most Worn Outfits + Embracing a Minimalist Mindset for some thoughts on how to get the most out of your current wardrobe. And remember, when the old ways of bonding with your loved ones aren’t resonating anymore, it’s more than okay to change things up and propose new traditions!

4. Stressing out about making baked goods from scratch for the holiday party

As silly as it sounds, I’ve actually considered backing out of my plans simply, because I ran out of time to bake something. Whoever’s party it is, they invited you, because they want to see YOU. So, don’t worry if your contribution is simply a bottle of wine and some store-bought cookies. Do the best you can, and take the pressure off of yourself on this! If you need a recommendation for some easy, damn good, gluten-free cookies… pick up a couple packs of Sweet Lorens Cookies in the freezer section at Whole Foods. Pop it in the oven + it’s ready in 12 minutes. Crowd favorite, I promise ya!

5. Playing calendar tetris

Let go of trying to squeeze everything in. Let go of bending over backwards to make an appearance at every event. Let go of back-and-forth emails attempting to nail down a time to meet up. As much as you wish there were more hours in the day, there simply are not. There are so many social opportunities at this time of year, it’s unrealistic to expect yourself to be everywhere. Say ‘no’ to invites that feel more like a chore. Forgive yourself for being a human. And lastly, save your time and energy for the people and experiences that are actually worth your while.

This holiday season, I encourage you to give yourself permission to stress less and enjoy more. Just remember, this season is meant to be fun. It’s meant to be a celebration. Enjoy and don’t take it all too seriously! At the end of the day, we all just want to give love and feel loved in return, right? When I feel overwhelmed that's what I remind myself.

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