I am not centered, and Christmas is not waiting.
Sometimes you get it as level as you can and "send it"...
Urban dictionary defines “send it” as ‘wholeheartedly throwing caution to the wind’
Larry Enticer made the phrase ‘meme popular’ in 2017 with his “just gonna send it” videos - 8/10, would recommend -
Christmastime feels a lot like at some point you need to draw the line with what you can do- and then ‘send it’… so today’s post is in appreciation for that reality - while also giving other contemplations of the season.
Reality Check Time
It’s the holidays where you can’t go a day (maybe even an hour) without someone crossing paths with you as they cross off their work or personal to do list. Some to-do’s with artificial deadlines or unnecessary urgency. Some interactions with 70% less pleasantry than in months that aren’t December.
You may even be that person to someone else today, or at least you may have been yesterday. Maybe your to-do list keeps growing despite your best intentions. Maybe the gap between ‘an ideal holiday’ and your current capacity needs to be named, acknowledged, and then accepted without any unnecessary feeling of shame.
The Mythical “Perfect Christmas”
There’s quite a few holiday traditions that perpetuate a culture of perfection around Christmas. Cookies are made - and judged as to which are ‘the best’. Gifts are wrapped, in a decorative paper, with some in bows or special wrapping paper. The tree should have a picture-perfect shape - and be lit with sufficient lights - and adorned with symbolic ornaments. You shouldn’t disagree at Christmas - to keep the emotional peace. And you should be in the mindset of giving and providing the best hospitality of the year - channeling your inner Martha Stewart.
All of these can feel unnatural versus the routine in the rest of the year. It might make you feel less centered than other times of the year. So what can you consider?
Find Kindness as One Compass
In this season, perhaps start with self-compassion. If your Inner Critic is showing up more often than you want, call awareness to it and “be for yourself” - redirect your thoughts to positively highlight all you are doing with the capacity you have. Find time to take and appreciate pauses in your day. See prior Inner Critic post for more considerations:
Also consider extending grace to others who may also be struggling. That person who was 70% less pleasant at work. Your partner. Your children. Your friends. Your neighbors. You can control your own supply of grace - even if you can’t control how they act.
If you have the capacity, express your appreciation for those people - take time to reflect on their positive impact in your life.
Kindness can be your compass to help show you what truly matters - step one in getting ready to ‘send it’.
Practical Priority Shifts
Act on tough situations with practical priority shifts.
Consider what self-care practices you respond to the best and prioritize time for them. These can especially help you during high-stress periods.
Be aware of what actually needs to happen vs. what we think should happen
..And perhaps above all else create space for rest without guilt. (Maybe while resting, watch that Larry Enticer YouTube video for entertainment.)
Embrace Imperfection
Embrace the beauty of an incomplete checklist - it’s perfect. It is as perfectly complete as it was ever meant to be - otherwise it would have happened differently.
Be present - find moments of joy, joy in traditions of the season, joy in moments of deeper connection with those you interact with, joy in the smells and sounds of the season. Being present matters more than being “perfect”.
Send It
December 25th will arrive whether we're ready or not. The genuine joy of the season lives in small moments of connection - with yourself and others. Find peace in accepting where you are rather than where we think you should be.
So use your tools, your awareness, your presence to be as centered as you can - and send it.