Functional Chaos

My friends, let’s talk about handling the stress of December in such a way that you, too, can enjoy the holidays. When the stress becomes overwhelming, I like to repeat this phrase: "It is time to put my regular life away so that I can enjoy the holidays." Upstairs in one bedroom I have a partially-finished quilt top. I been working on some family history that is scattered in the basement office. I have undone mending, and some drawers that I want to line (with the consequent supplies purchased). It is time for me to put these half-finished projects completely away. I know that during the rest of this month (especially as the children get out of school) and even a few days into the new year, there will be little time for me to work on very much of anything but fixing meals, cleaning up, entertaining and enjoying the family, traveling, and being with close acquaintances.

If I leave my half-finished projects out, it will dismay, confuse, and otherwise keep me from having a simplified, focused holiday season. So I start at the front door, walking around my house in a counterclockwise direction, putting the quilt top away, cleaning up the papers from my family history project, and putting away the drawer liners for another time. I’m not going to get to them before Christmas comes.

So as you function during this busy time, as you work through all of your priorities, take just a few minutes and put the half-finished projects completely way. I usually make little notes in my planner where I have put these projects so during the first week of January, when things settle down a bit, the company has left, and my husband has returned to work, I can return to my regular routine and finish up. Keep periods of time during that first week or so of January without a lot commitments. It takes awhile to ramp up after two or three weeks of having company, husband, and other extended family in your life full-time.

So repeat this phrase as you’re cleaning up, putting away, and setting aside things you haven’t finished: "It is important to put my regular life away so that I, too, to can enjoy the holidays."

When that is accomplished, also remember that during the holiday season you are going to be in a mode of "functional chaos." Most of us will have a disruption in our regular routines with people, food, and activities out of the norm. This is all fun and good...well, it can be!

But it is up to you and I to incorporate the concept of functional chaos into our routines. This means that first thing every morning we are going to get up and get ready for the day. Yes (except for the rare exception like Christmas morning), get yourself ready for the day before you emerge to meet the needs of your immediate family, guests, relatives, and friends.

This means doing whatever personal habits springboard you for a "good" day, like scripture study, journaling, a bit of exercise, a shower, some lipstick, a brush through your beautiful hair, and some bright, happy clothes!

Then with yourself all in order, you can meet the needs of others. You might even have time to tackle the dirty laundry, the dishes that didn’t get done after last night’s snack, and the front room mess from a fun game of charades.

May your enjoy this holiday season as you back off from a rigorous routine and enjoy every leisurely experience, but may you still find order in your personal life so you can function at your highest level. Remember, first you, then him/her (if you are so lucky to have one of these in your life), and then them. Keep yourself functional even though both you and I know that it is going to be a bit chaotic.

Then, when everyone is back to their normal routine and the holidays are done, you can begin your new year with interest and energy!