Kiddipedia
While Christmas can be magical for children, it can often feel overwhelming for women who find themselves managing the majority of the tasks it takes to deliver a joyous christmas. As a Space and Time Optimiser, I support tired and overwhelmed women to reclaim time and mental peace during this hectic period. By using 1% pockets of your day (14.4 minutes), we can simplify and create space for joy and meaningful moments instead of stress and exhaustion. Here’s how:
The Importance of Simplification
The holiday season brings with it an increased mental load. From shopping and decorating to planning meals and hosting gatherings, the demands can quickly pile up. To maintain positive mental health, it’s crucial to simplify. Simplification isn’t just about clearing physical clutter; it’s about freeing yourself from unnecessary mental burdens.
Start by assessing your holiday to-do list. Are there tasks that could be eliminated or delegated? One of my key tips for maintaining positive mental health is to drop some of the balls we’re juggling. You don’t have to do everything, and certainly not all at once. Prioritise what truly matters to you and let go of the rest.
Empower Your Family to Share the Load
One of the most significant contributors to holiday stress is the feeling that you must do everything for everyone. However, it’s vital to remember that Mums are NOT maids. The invisible work required to run a household – cooking, cleaning, organising – should not fall on your shoulders alone. By empowering family members to take on more responsibilities, you not only lighten your load but also teach valuable life skills.
Teaching your family to avoid weaponized incompetence – a term for when someone pretends they don’t know how to do something, or does it poorly to avoid being asked again – is crucial. Make sure each family member understands their role in the holiday preparations and holds them accountable. This not only saves you time and reduces your stress but also fosters a more supportive and collaborative family environment.
Create a System That Works for You
The key to a peaceful holiday season lies in creating systems that work for you and your family. This might mean establishing a routine for holiday tasks, setting specific times for shopping or decorating, or even scheduling moments of relaxation and self-care. By organising your time and tasks, you can prevent last-minute panic and enjoy the season with a clearer mind.
Using 1% pockets of your day, just 14.4 minutes, you can make small, impactful changes that accumulate over time. Whether it’s spending that time decluttering a room, organising your gift list, or simply taking a moment to breathe and relax, these small efforts can make a big difference.
Prioritise Joy
Amidst all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to forget the true spirit of the season — enjoying moments with people you love. By simplifying your tasks and delegating responsibilities, you create more time for what truly matters: collecting moments, not things. Spend time with loved ones, engage in activities that bring you happiness, and allow yourself to fully experience the joy of the season.
Remember, the holidays should be a time of celebration and connection, not stress and exhaustion. By following these tips, you can maintain positive mental health and truly enjoy the festive season. Let go of perfection, delegate tasks, and make space for joy. After all, a simplified, organised life is the greatest gift you can give yourself this Christmas.
Bridget Johns is a Space and Time Optimiser and founder of Be Simply Free, an online declutter coaching and life organisation business. She is a master of helping people clear out the crap from their homes, lives and calendars so they can optimise their time and spend it collecting moments not things.
Bridget adores helping women to reduce their mental load and find more time by letting go of the physical crap in their homes, the excess commitments they take on in their calendars and empowering their family members to take on more of the invisible work that it takes to run a household.
Bridget is an expert in helping women declutter their minds and lives. She brings 20 years of business project management experience to help women project manage their home lives. Bridget teaches women to prioritise, organise, communicate and delegate so they have the time and energy to live their best lives. Practising these valuable skills will enrich women’s lives both in the home and in their roles outside of the home.
Bridget wants to flip the focus on collecting stuff. She encourages women to live lives where they collect moments not things.
www.instagram.com/be.simplyfree
