December - the Marmite Month

Survival tips for me and you!

It’s supposed to be all sparkly and joyful – at least that’s what we’re told by our media and various other messages ‘Tis the season to be jolly’ and all that. But this all comes at a price – sometimes cold hard cash, sometimes it costs us time, sometimes it’s our peace of mind. Our budgets are stretched beyond the normal demands, yes there are presents to buy, but we can all think of an extra bill that pops up when it’s least wanted or needed, like car or house insurance bills, or the boiler breaking down or the car needing all new tires etc. I’m hearing the news telling us that the cost of living crisis is slowing down, but I’m not sure that’s true in our household.

Image by Pexels on Pixabay

I’m struggling just now. With global, national and local news that is full of war, hatred and desperation. I’m struggling to stay in the present when I have so many events in the diary that time seems to be concertina-ing (I’m not sure that’s a word but you get my meaning!) and things get missed or forgotten and this always causes me angst. Even though I know it’s not the end of the world if I miss my optician’s appointment. I don’t like the grey cold days when you don’t really feel like you’ve woken up properly all day; here in the UK it’s been raining, everyday for what feels like MONTHS; early mornings are hard at this time of year; my body does not like the cold; and I’d like to just hibernate please.

This year it really feels like my body hates me and I’m trying hard not to let that thought process win! I need to be able to listen and treat myself with kindness, not berate myself for not being able to do more and better.

December is a tricky month, and I think you either love it or hate it. Maybe though that’s not entirely fair. Maybe we can love bits of it, and if so, let’s work out how to do more of that! I think a practice of daily thankfulness can really help us see the good bits, and recognise that there are more of these than our brains would have us believe at times.

Ugh. Time to bring out the big guns, or maybe it’s the small guns, in the fight for winter survival. I’ve written before about surviving winter, and I’ve also read books like ‘Wintering’ by Katherine May. Somehow though, it’s taken me by surprise this year.  I do find that it’s small things that can make a big difference, which is good because I, for one, don’t have the energy for big things right now!

Here’s the plan:

·       Start with gratitude: I’m going to bring back the daily 3 Good Things. It’s a scientific fact that recording our gratitude helps our brains to think more positively. It’s always worked best for me when I do this ‘out loud’ because I’m an outward processor.

·       Dig out my SAD light and use it in the mornings in particular.

·       Return to a daily journalling practice for a bit. Not necessarily writing, it can also be using colour to express myself.

·       Buy a hot water bottle that doesn’t leak and use it on my aching joints.

·       Go outside every day – preferably to walk a little but even if it’s just standing in my yard for a few deep breaths of fresh air, that’ll be better than not.

·       Decide which appointments really do need to happen before Christmas and which ones can be left until after.

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

I am looking forward to the actual Christmas week, we’ll be spending it with friends this year and that fills me with joy! It’s just the next two weeks that’ll be more challenging.

So friends, I encourage you to figure out what brings you a level of contentment or happiness that you’re not doing right now? A favourite hobby, or activity perhaps. Maybe it’s carving out space for rest, that’s not always easy to do at this time of year! But I do find that the busier we are, the more important rest becomes. Whatever it is you need to do, I encourage you to do it. Instead of burning ourselves out and then railing against the lack of stamina, let’s see this year out in a good frame of mind, making peace with our own limitations and the need for rest.