Pressing the “easy button”

The holidays are upon us and many people are feeling overwhelmed by all that they need to accomplish and spread too thin by a steady stream of festivities and commitments. Trying to make everything “just so”, (as in, the best, most picture perfect holiday ever) adds additional pressure. From what I’ve noticed, tradition and high expectations are tough taskmasters.

That’s why at this time of year, it’s especially important to find ways to make things easier on yourself. But doing so requires being open to new approaches, as well as letting go of attachment to how things “should be.” This can be challenging for many people, particularly when tradition is involved. But if you’re willing to be flexible about how things are done, there’s a good chance you’ll have less stress, more energy and extra time to actually enjoy the holidays.

So as you go about your holiday activities, look for opportunities to “press the easy button.” For example, if you usually spend hours elaborately wrapping presents, try using gift bags for a change. Instead of slaving over a hot stove for days, consider preparing a less lavish feast or ordering some of the more labor-intensive dishes from a restaurant. Rather than sending out a huge stack of holiday cards, perhaps send just a few or skip sending them out altogether. As the saying goes, “Those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter.”

These are just a few examples; there are infinite situations that are ripe for simplifying so keep your eye out for opportunities to “press the easy button” and enjoy a wonderful, stress-free holiday season!

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