By: Amy Maricle

Hello Wonderful You,

How are you? We are now officially in the throws of the holiday rush. How’s it going?

Have you been able to steal away some moments for yourself – whether taking pictures for the contest, working on some art, or just slowing down to focus on your breath?

If you haven’t, there’s no time like the present, right?

Self-Care is an Attitude

What I hope you are getting is that this whole self-care thing doesn’t necessarily look the same for everyone. I have always found that self-care has a lot to do with attitude. If you are thinking about yourself and what you might need, then you are much more likely to prioritize  and attend to your needs.

Do you know what I mean?

How I’ve Been Doing Self-Care this Season

These self-care challenges are always extra challenging for me since I’m the one keeping the momentum alive online. I have to be really thoughtful about how to do this successfully while also maintaining my own sanity.

Would you share some of your own tips? Here’s what I’ve been doing.

1. I took things off my list.

This was my #1 coping skill this season. I told people in my family that we needed to share tasks. I also decided not to make the beloved family photo calendar this Christmas. We will all miss it, but we would have missed my sanity more.

I just generally decided that I don’t need to push so hard right now, both at work and personally. Huh, there’s a thought, right?

2. I have been doing art in short bursts.

THIS IS SO FUN. I keep a journal out with a portable art kit and it often entices me as I walk by to just do a few little marks, which turns into 5 or 10 minutes of art. This is so much more relaxing than checking Facebook!

I can’t wait to show you guys some of what I have been doing in January.

3. Prioritizing exercise. (That gets me outside!)

4. Putting the screens away sometimes.

Being plugged in to my work email and social media is necessary and energizing most of the time. I love being a part of this process with you! However, I have to keep the ebb and flow in my work. As I always tell my supervisees, this work is a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourself.

5. Focusing on the little moments with my family and friends.

It’s like the Hokey Pokey says: That’s what it’s all about! During time with my loved ones I am trying to put my whole self in. (It’s not bad advice actually.)

What About YOU?

What are you doing to take care of yourself during the holiday season? This can be a fun, joyous time, and it can also be a stressful, sad time. Especially for folks with losses and disappointments, holidays can remind you of who and what you are missing. So how are you coping?

Join the Holiday Self-Care Challenge on Instagram!

This week’s theme is: NATURE

Put on your coat and get out there! Let’s see what beauty you find in this nearly winter weather. Make sure you share on Instagram using #holidayselfcare for your chance to win Art Journaling 101 Online!

Cheers,

Amy

Official Holiday Self-Care Challenge Rules:

You must be 14 or older to enter. You can live anywhere in the world, and be any shape, size, gender, color, religion, etc. The winner will be chosen at random from amongst all challenge entries. Each day you post a picture to Instagram during the month of December is a chance to win. This challenge is no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Instagram. Please only post child-friendly content and obtain permission when including images of people. Inappropriate images and content will not be considered for entry. *Remember too to be respectful of others. Please get a person’s permission before taking their picture and posting it on the web. Thank you!

For more detailed information about the challenge, click here