Did you make a list of your favorite downtime activities last week? Were you able to find a few minutes here and there to squeeze some of them into your busy days?

A reader commented last week that she believes the most important thing you can do to change your attitude on life is to be grateful. I agree! Even if you are only able to find small joyful moments in your days, be grateful for those. Happiness is cumulative!


Welcome to week 4 of The Winter Project!
(What is The Winter Project?)

Finding joy in the holidays: Connection and community

The idea of gathering to “break bread” isn’t new. People have been sharing meals casually and ritually for millennia. This is Christmas week and, for my family, that means lots of gathering and sharing.

Last year on Christmas Eve, my husband, our children, and I visited three local charities to offer donations of warm clothing, toiletries, food, etc. to homeless individuals, families, and pets. Our kids are always very excited about receiving gifts, of course, but we wanted them to experience the feeling of sharing with someone(s) who are greatly in need of help as well as to give them perspective on how blessed we are to have a home and all of our comforts. We worked together to bring just a little bit of love to people and animals in our community.

This year we have plans with family beginning on Christmas Eve and continuing through the week. Gathering with people we love for a common purpose (in this case, to celebrate the Christmas holiday) can be such a comfort. This time of year provides many opportunities to connect: from family meals to holiday parties and gatherings with friends. All of these people have special roles in our lives and spending meaningful time with each of them feeds us in different ways. Some of our relationships are with family and others are with our “tribe”, or the community that we create around us. All of these connections bring rich and wonderful things to our lives.

Challenge for the week: Host a gathering of any size. Get together in a drama-free way and with a common purpose- even if that purpose is to relax! It doesn’t have to be at home and it doesn’t have to be a big production. Even meeting a good friend for coffee or a glass of wine or going on a date night with your favorite person counts! The point is to share time and space with someone who’s company you enjoy. Be present, enjoy the moment, and show up with your whole heart. As writer Jim Elliot is quoted, “wherever you are, be all there!” Who are you wishing to spend time with this week?

My plan for the week: We will be spending Christmas and the following days with family. I also hope to squeeze in a quick visit with friends.

If you celebrate Christmas, have a blessed holiday and enjoy your time with loved ones!

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As we move through this project, I would love to hear about your survival skills, struggles, and success in the comments or by email (you can reach me at getnatured@gmail.com)!

Don’t miss out! Subscribe to receive free Get Natured updates so you can be included in The Winter Project. The weather outside doesn’t have to be frightful! xoxo

Other ways to follow along:
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*Important note: I am not a licensed mental health professional. This advice is not intended to take the place of therapy or medications. Please seek professional care if you are suffering from depression or anxiety symptoms.

How have you nurtured your basic needs over the last week? Are you finding ways to get the sleep and care you need? It can be extremely difficult to keep up good habits this time of year. Do your best to eliminate what is working against you (lack of sleep, junk food) and add in things that will help you build joy (exercise, nourishing foods).

Keep up the great work- all of the good you do adds up!


Welcome to week 3 of The Winter Project!
(What is The Winter Project?)

Finding joy in the holidays: Leisure time

In spite of the modern conveniences that are designed to make us more productive, we have less and less time to simply relax these days. All of our things need to be maintained, cleaned, insured, stored, checked, updated, etc. The more “conveniences” we have, the less we have of what we really need- time.

With all of the extras on our to-do lists this time of year, it is easy to start feeling anxiety about having only fragments of time to do anything at all. When you finally do get a moment or two to yourself, you may find that you have forgotten how to relax or that you spend all of your downtime trying to decide what you want to do! Having an idea in mind that sounds deliciously restful can help you to make the most of your time.

Challenge for the week: Make a list of your favorite ways to spend downtime. They can be big or small- the point is to find ideas that give you energy just thinking about them. Looking forward to your favorite things can help you make the most of leisure time. Try to find a little time each day this week to rest, recharge, and reflect. It doesn’t need to take hours- even a few minutes can help press the reset button. Since happiness is cumulative, even little bits of time to exhale and take a break can do wonders for keeping the peace in your mind.

My list of juicy, winter downtime goodness:

My plan for the week: I will be making homemade (hands-on) Christmas gifts, watching holiday movies, reading a daily Advent book, listening to a serious page-turner of an audiobook while I’m doing chores and walking the dog, having a massage, and taking a family walk under the full moon.

What about you? What makes your heart smile?

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As we move through this project, I would love to hear about your survival skills, struggles, and success in the comments or by email (you can reach me at getnatured@gmail.com)!

Don’t miss out! Subscribe to receive free Get Natured updates so you can be included in The Winter Project. The weather outside doesn’t have to be frightful! xoxo

Other ways to follow along:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram


*Important note: I am not a licensed mental health professional. This advice is not intended to take the place of therapy or medications. Please seek professional care if you are suffering from depression or anxiety symptoms.