To Do vs To Choose
The closer we get to the holidays the longer our to do lists get.
It feels like our lists are happening TO US. Those damn lists are aggressive too....
Does yours sounds like....
Buy the gifts. Plan the trip. Research recipes. Make the cute craft. Elf on the shelf. Decorate. Book pictures with Santa. Mail out holiday cards. Host the annual party.
It is a literal full time job.
Then throw on top of it - a few of the kids getting sick, you getting sick, your mother in laws' nasty comments, and that damn work deadline you totally forgot about.
It is A LOT. (I know. Sorry to be a downer. But it gets better.... stay with me...)
Oftentimes we accidentally and subtly think the solution is a bite of peppermint bark here and there or the entire tin of holiday popcorn (like omg "why am I even eating the caramel popcorn section I don't even like the caramel popcorn section!!!"). We seek food because we need a little relief. We need a little reward.
But this solution doesn't REALLY solve our problem. It leaves us feeling even more crappy, with a sugar hangover AND with something else to add to our list: lose the holiday weight.
The ACTUAL solution is EDITING YOUR TO DO LIST.
Here is how:
1. Write down everything you "have" to do. Every single thing.
2. Cross off the things you don't want to do.
3. Don't do them.
4. Feel your bad feelings from not doing things you normally do. This part will be uncomfortable because you may have to say no to someone and then they are disappointed and then you feel bad (oh well they are allowed to be disappointed it is not the end of the world if you don't bake 292 cookies for the PT freaking A!) Remember that you already feel bad, choose the kind of feeling bad that gets you the result you want! Also - most people actually won't care when you say no.
5. For real don't do the things you crossed off.
5. Let people think what they want about you. Have your own damn back.
6. Remind yourself you get to do whatever you want whenever you want. You are an adult human. You do not have to follow societal rules. You have been conditioned to put everyone's needs and wants ahead of your own. You even get rewarded for it. But it is not serving you. It is causing you to be a shell of yourself.
7. Notice that when you don't do the things you usually do you don't die. Notice you are free. #freethemoms
8. Cross off "to do list" and put "to choose list". Everything on this list should be something you are choosing on purpose. You should like your reasons for having chosen what is on this list.
9. Never say "have to" again.
10. Have fun with what is on your list. Enjoy it. Remember you are choosing it! If you can't get out of it (of course you can) then get into it!
Does all of this feels like too much? Pick just ONE THING that you don't want to do and start there. You will blow your own mind.
It is time that you create the holiday season that YOU want. That serves you. It is your turn mama, but you have to be willing to be the one to take it.
LFG.
Have the Best Holiday Season Ever,
Laura
PS Are you ready to lose weight for the last time and be free forever? Then you better be on the Yummy Mummy Experience waitlist! We start in January and we lose weight for the last time: guaranteed. It is my 6 month private group coaching and course - we lose weight in a new and different way: hunger hormone balance, rewiring your brain from a diet brain to a weight what you want brain, learning how to really feel (we actually ALL emotionally eat!), accountability and FUN - LOVE! You coming or what!?!?