Ok this might not sound like this most positive message this holiday season, but give me a chance to explain. Whether it is work or play, we have a tendency to automatically say yes. Yes, I'll come out for drinks. Sure, I can do you a favor. Yes, I'll be at that dinner. We are conditioned to be people pleasers and give of ourselves all the time. But can I tell you a secret? It doesn't serve us.
Saying yes to everything often means saying no to ourselves because the yeses begin to clutter up our lives so much so that we don't get a spare moment to just breathe. We begin to feel out of control with the endless list of promises made.
There is a solution to this glorification of busy, however. It's simply learning to say no.
It might be difficult to start- Maybe we'll feel guilty because so-and-so was really counting on us to make that dish for the holiday party. Maybe it bruises the ego to say no and admit that overextending ourselves is driving us mad. Maybe so-and-so will be offended if we don't go to her party. Let it go. Stop inventing stories about what will happen if you say no. Peace of mind is more important.
Of course, this isn't to say that we should never say yes. But with the holiday season upon us, where work and social parties are scheduled and family gatherings are planned, I think it's important to step back, examine our priorities, and perhaps try putting ourselves first. I've said it before, and I'll say it again- taking care of ourselves first is the single most important thing we can do for others. Why? Because only then are we in a healthy place to give of ourselves.