Latte Lunedi

Good morning, I don't have to rush around as much as usual today so I'm treating myself to a honey and almond hot chocolate (it's less than 2 weeks till Christmas so calories don't count any more) and sitting listening to Christmas carols in Starbucks, making the most of the variety of coffee shops in London before returning to ashby and it's single costa for Christmas!

Now as much as we all love this time of year for various reasons, we also usually end up very burnt out, what with the deadline looming for shopping and wrapping presents, with money we really don't have and trying to get things finished before Christmas so we can have a proper break, getting everything prepared for the visitors we do want to see but don't have time to make the beds, clean the bathrooms and clear the clutter out the spare room! Add the fact that it's freezing and the fact that you're more than likely to has a cold and this time of year can be very draining. I've not even mentioned all the cooking there is to do! When we're burnt out we get irritable, annoyed by everyone from the stranger at the bus stop to your closest friends and family, sure on Christmas Day we're all happy and relaxed, but despite what I might say to make myself feel better about the cream on top of my hot chocolate, 10 days is too long to be stressed and irritated! 

So how can we change this?

Firstly I'd say set times to complete different jobs, someone once told me that if you give 8 hours to do the sprouts they'll take 8 hours, if you set 1 hour to do the sprouts they'll take 1 hour. (Miranda's mother would recommend doing a Christmas chart!)

Secondly allow time to pause and breathe in between and also to smile and wish people merry Christmas. It'll make you feel better and cheer them up too! 

Thirdly sing Christmas carols, eat mince pies and drink mulled wine or hot chocolate to get you in the festive spirit.

And lastly don't stress, stressing doesn't make time slow down in fact it does the opposite, the picture below might help, just work through your 'to do list' one thing at a time and try to actually enjoy the lead up to Christmas!