5 Helpful Memos for Christmas Bliss

Let's be real, Christmas doesn't always turn out to be 'the most wonderful time of the year.' To be honest, I think that's because we don't allow ourselves to talk about the not-so-good aspects of the season. Instead, we tend to suppress or be suppressed whenever the miserable side of Christmas comes up in conversation. If you look at the way Christmas is hyped up and advertised by big business and mainstream media, it's not hard to see why expectations for the festive season are often impossibly high, making the reality fall a little flat in comparison. People put themselves under an immense amount of pressure to make the day perfect in one way or another. Anxieties can get out of hand, especially where family gatherings, gift exchanges and food consumption are concerned. Christmas can be a cocktail of insecurity, sadness and tension. I hope that these five memos can help you to stay cool and keep it spiritual this holiday season.

1. Don't forget self-care and solitude
If you're going to be around gatherings of family, work colleagues or friends this year, don't forget the incredibly nurturing quality of solitude! Take yourself off for regular solo pep talks. Tell yourself that you're awesome, breathe deeply and visualise a trickling, glistening waterfall flowing over your body and cooling you down (or something else that really flips your zen switch). Self-care can be anything from a walk in the snow to watching some Netflix in bed, having a cat nap or taking a warm bubble bath.

2. Keep things in perspective
Even if the turkey doesn't cook all the way through or there's a power cut in the middle of watching Die Hard, it's really only Christmas when all said and done. I like to boil it down to a simple but sobering reminder that I am not homeless and I am not in a war zone, so I'm already enjoying an incredibly privileged Christmas no matter what kinds of annoying trivialities might come up.

3. Listen to your body 
If you're worried about overeating (or drinking too much) at Christmas, it's important to be conscious of that concern and check in with your body whilst inhabiting any location which boasts a big festive buffet or three course meal. You are not under any obligation to gorge yourself on rich, heavy food, nor is it your solemn duty to get blind drunk if you don't want to. Other people will set their own personal limits - only you can set yours.

4. Do something kind for someone who needs it
It's definitely the season for that shizzle. Exchanging gifts with loved ones or giving a dinner for some friends or family is all well and good. But if you can take even one small step in terms of charitable giving or making that connection with someone who doesn't get much interaction at Christmas, you will really be filled with the spirit of Christmas, dollface!

5. Don't force it
It's absolutely ok to acknowledge that you're having a difficult time and that Christmas isn't really the first thing on your mind. Perhaps you've had a lot of loss and disappointment in 2015, you're heartbroken, you're away from your family or you're dealing with mental health issues. Maybe your life is currently uncertain and you're just not that keen on toasting the future when you're not all that sure where it's going to lead. It's ok to be real about what's real. However, keep in mind that Christmas can actually offer little glittery moments of reprieve. Children and animals can be particularly entertaining at this time of year, there are lights glinting on people's houses and in the centre of town, you can see some old, well-loved movies.. (Gremlins, anyone?) Don't discount the power of the season to offer a little pocket of relaxation and relief even in the most difficult times.

Check out my latest Tea & Tarot episode for more tips to help you survive the season!

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Want more? Read on, dear heart..

Fuel for Yule
The Gifts that Keep on Giving
The Friendly Ghost of Christmas Past