Today when I woke up, I realized that Thanksgiving is just a week and a half away. While I can hardly contain my excitement about cooking, baking, eating, napping, planning shopping routes, and escaping to the movies, I can also hardly focus on my work because of all of the things that I need to do to prepare!
Let’s see- there’s a guest room to clean. Actually, there’s an entire house to clean. The logistics haven’t been determined. We don’t know who’s staying where and when we’re eating and where. The menu is far from decided, especially since there are vegetarians and those with food allergies. The Thanksgiving crafts aren’t finished yet because the glitter glue clumped. And I have no idea what sales to look for in the salespapers because no one has turned in a Christmas wish list! There’s so much to do with so little time!
So how am I going to handle my Thanksgiving stress? The answer lies in the holiday itself. “Thanksgiving” when broken down is all about giving thanks. There’s nothing in my holiday preparations list that actually has to do with giving thanks! It’s all about making up for the things that haven’t been cleaned because I’ve been so busy working. My list should have more to do with the reason for the holiday itself- making my life simplier so I can really focus on the things that matter most.
There are three simple steps that will help you to be grateful for a less stressful Thanksgiving:
1. Prioritize.
2. Delegate.
3. Omit.
Start by making a list of ALL of the things you want done, changed, made, or fixed in time for Thanksgiving. This includes fixing casseroles, broken hinges on doors, and even glittering pumpkins for the centerpiece. Include EVERYTHING! You may have to add things to the list later on that you forget.
Now, it’s time to put the three simple steps into action: prioritize, delegate, and omit. Go through each item on the list, putting a number beside it that indicates its priority status. If it’s not a priority, don’t give it a number.
Decide which things you can delegate to someone else (BTW- “someone else” includes the local bakery for pies, hiring an extra set of hands to help with the cleaning, and even your teenage son to rake the yard). While you’ve got the list in front you, go on and call, email, or text to let them know you need their services! Don’t put it off! Going on and making those arrangements now will let you feel calmer immediately.
And finally- whatever is leftover on the list can be omitted. If it wasn’t a priority, or if it was the 10th listed priority on the list, it’s optional. “If everything is a priority, then nothing is a priority.” If you don’t have time to go buy the non-clumped glue, then cross off the glitter pumpkins and just put them out plain! (No one else will know they were supposed to be glittered but you).
This year I’m looking forward to giving thanks for a fantastic holiday spent doing my favorite things: baking, laughing, eating, napping, and spending time with my loved ones! See- I’ve already omitted the “cooking” from my list. I’m so glad someone else is making the green bean casserole. I’ve never really liked it anyway!
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