With the holidays around the corner, I’m thinking ahead to how to approach the holiday season with mindfulness. Last year, with the best of intentions, I found myself overspending on Black Friday because I was home and it was convenient. There really was nothing I needed, but everything looked inviting. I want to be more aware of myself because when I start losing boundaries around money, it affects the food that I”m eating and other areas of my life. Normally the word diet isn’t empowering, but it’s different when we talk about money and the excess around the holiday season.
Focus on Free
One of the best parts of the holiday in NYC is looking at the ice skaters at Bryant Park, viewing the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, and enjoying the window displays at department stores. This costs absolutely nothing. Look around your neighborhood. The changing season gives many opportunities in nature to really enjoy the changing scenery. Even in the middle of winter, when snow blankets the landscape, there is a beauty in the stillness.
Examine the Messages
If the true meaning of the holidays is all about shopping in the messages you hear, then maybe we can adjust our focus. We probably don’t start out that way, but there’s so much pressure to find the perfect gift and to constantly spend money on decorations, parties, and holiday items. Most of us don’t need more stuff or have sufficient closet space.
Decide what is most important to you about the holidays. My list includes: spending time with family, enjoying a nice holiday meal (I mean specifically on December 25th as something I can savor), and treating myself to an advent calendar of my choice. Anything beyond that, I let go ro decide if I have time and energy.
Shopping Preparation
There are constant messages to treat yourself such as one gift for the recipient and one gift for yourself, as though spending money is the ultimate in self-care. Being counter cultural takes stepping back and seeing the holiday through a different lens and means that others may not understand you.
I also want to make sure that I’m well nourished. Going to the mall shopping when hungry leads to poor food choices that are high in calories, sugar, salt, and fat.
Let not having regrets motivate you. Your future self in January wil thank you for not having debt and wondering what caused you to buy things you don’t need. Excess and too many gifts look different when unwrapped and cause clutter. Remind yourself about how much you really have in all areas of your life.s
