Frantic is the only word to describe my life at the moment.
The silly season is upon us and I am the proverbial chicken without a head, trying desperately to get it all done before the big day.
It isn’t going to happen. I have to let some things go.
I have lost my christmas mojo.
I don’t like to admit it, but I have.
Partly, it is the seasonal grief that the loss of my mom brings. Grief is a funny beast and the silly season is one of those times when, for me, it manages to find me and cling to me like sand brought home from the beach.
But I also think it is the notion that I have to have a perfect christmas, full of feast and festivities. And because I suffer from depression, with my list ever growing, I find that my motivation is ever waning.
I am tired.
It has been a difficult year. A year of growth, yes, but we only grow when we are prepared to confront those painful aspects of our lives and let them go. I have done an awful lot of letting go.
Writing has been therapy for me. Toxic, ugly therapy. Therapy is not meant to be rainbows and unicorns. And I’ve grown. But with any growth there has to be a period of rest. To recharge, to gain strength. I am finding my body desperately wanting to rest, my mind begging me to stop.
But I can’t, I tell myself. I have so much to do.
What is it that drives us to do so much? To aim for perfection? A perfection that is a moving target since it means different things to so many different people. For each of the 12 people that will sit at my christmas table, perfection will mean something different. I am chasing an illusion.
I have to release this notion of perfection. I have release this notion that unless I can achieve perfection, I will be viewed as not good enough.
I am enough.
Done is better than perfect.
Done is better than perfect.
Be kind to yourself.
Let some of it go.
The greatest gift we can give to ourselves is the permission to let stuff go, to put things out into the wider world that show imperfections, that are less than, but more than enough.
My to-do list is enormous.
If I don’t get it all done by the time Santa arrives, that is okay.
The world will not come to end.
Life will not stop.
Deep breaths. In. Out. In. Out.
Let. It. All. Go.
Dear Universe, I really wanted to get this shit load of stuff done by the 25th, but I am simply not going to manage it. I am releasing those less important things to you. Chances are no-one will notice. I will notice, but that is okay, I am handing them over to you. I am a fallible human, and at this time, in this moment, I just simply cannot do it all. I am choosing my mental health over home made christmas bon bons, hand crafted gift bags and a number of other homestead-y type things. I know you will understand.
Much love,
Sarah,
I love the letter you sent to the Universe. It is very powerful. I also connected with, “I am chasing an illusion.” Yes, everyone’s perception of perfection is so different, and we we come to terms and realize that it is about them and not about us, it can be very freeing and releasing. Beautiful words. XO
Hi there Eydie, thank you very much for your lovely comment. xx
Right on for choosing mental health over Christmas thingies. I had to make the same choice a couple years ago when academia was sending me into the depths.
Do what nurtures you, do what feels good, and people will notice your sparkle more than the “perfect” table layout. Time with our loved ones is the most important.
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season, from a fellow Reverb14 participant. 🙂
Hi there Linda. Thank you for stopping by and you too have a peaceful holiday season xx
Choose peace and joy over a completed to-do list. In the end, you will remember most how you felt and how you made others feel. The things done just aren’t eternal.
Good advice Cynthia, thank you xx
The Universe is listening, my friend. Of this you can be certain.
Release it all and let your shoulders come down. Sleep deeply and move gently. You are enough.
You are. x
Thank you very much Kat xx
I love this, Sarah – I’ve struggled with not doing all I wanted to do this year, before taking some time off for the next 2 weeks – but we have to listen to ourselves and our bodies – and as you say “let go”. Know that what we’re doing right now is enough, in this present moment, and it’s ok to not do everything – what we can do is enough. xx Best wishes in this festive season and I hope you have a wonderful time with family. X Katie