Avoid the Holiday Slump
by: Tasha Myers
We all hate to admit it, whether you are a student, in the working world, or even your own boss - it happens. You are on a countdown to the holidays and everything else you have on your agenda just doesn’t measure up to all the fun and exciting things that come with the holiday season. Anticipating a break from the normalcy and routine schedules can make the greatest overachiever a procrastinator. It is not that you have become a slacker all of a sudden; you are ready to be free from the troubles of your everyday life. That is perfectly normal for anyone to feel. Now that you know what’s going on, here are four tips that will help you make it to the holiday season with your sanity still intact.
1. Write Out Your To Dos
When you start thinking about all the things you have to do to get ready for the holidays, including shopping, travel plans, creating a menu, not to mention, finishing up assignments and studying – the list could go on and on. The best way to get organized and not forget anything is to write it all down. Make a detailed list, including the day it needs to be done and whatever notes or reminders needed for the task. List each task individually and complete tasks at least 2 days before the due date, to make allowances for whatever comes. For example, instead of writing buy gifts for family or finish homework, list them as Gift for Tiffany, Gift for David, Paper for Economics and Art Project. This way you can highlight as you complete tasks. You won’t believe the sense of accomplishment that comes when you need a new highlighter.
2. Get Ahead of the Game
You already know between all the Thanksgiving and December holidays, free time will become non-existent. Use this to your advantage. Every time you feel as though you have nothing worthwhile to do, take this time to make progress on the things you need to get done. This is also a great way to fight procrastination any time of the year. Once you make a habit of it, you may realize you have learned how to use your time more wisely.
2. Prepare for Your Family
If you are anything like me, it was always crazy to find the right Hallmark cards for so many of my family members. The sappy, tear jerking cards just didn’t match our relationship. So even though I love them and would do anything for them, sometimes the holidays come with a bit of anxiety about what drama could take place. Regardless of if your family is like mine or not, make sure you aren’t going into any situation without knowing what you are walking into. Have a comeback line for that aunt that always has something to say about those five pounds you have been trying to lose for the last two months, or that little baby cousin that needs to lay off the energy drinks to stop climbing the walls and jumping on your couch.
4. Avoid Back to Reality Shock
As fun as the holidays are, remember they are over as fast as they come. You don’t want to focus so much energy on all that comes with the holiday you forget that very soon after you have to return to real life. When that happens, you don’t want it to be in shambles. Take the time and energy to make sure you aren’t starting a new year with resolutions that could have either been taken care of before the holidays or completely avoided in the first place.
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