Last week I was feeling really stressed out.
November 1st was rapidly approaching, and I knew I should have every single block on my calendar filled with holiday posts.
Last year I did a 12 Days of Christmas project series, and I wanted to do it again this year.
Not only did I want to do it again – I wanted to do it earlier this year than I did last year, and better, and I wanted all 12 projects done by Nov. 1st.
{12 Days of Christmas Projects Series}
…and then life happened.
My parents came to visit, my dad broke his hip, I got sick…
…You know – just life.
Rather than just accept that October had been a difficult month, I freaked out last week.
I felt like I had to get some projects done, and I had to get them done fast.
I started dragging out pallet wood, and craft supplies, and I made my husband get our Christmas tree out of the attic, (even though he was trying to finish up the entryway makeover… for me).
I was going to get 12 Christmas projects done and start sharing them today – on Nov. 1st….
even if it killed me.
My house was a disaster, I hadn’t cooked a meal in a week, and there wasn’t a single clean bath towel in the house, and I was exhausted.
Fa, la, la
My oldest son had the day off work, and he volunteered to do some cleaning. He did 3 loads of laundry, picked up the living room, went in town and bought lunch for everyone – he even gave the dog a bath.
{Farmhouse Kitchen Before & After}
The house was starting too look better, and by yesterday evening, I realized that I didn’t want to lose my mind over over Christmas projects, and I certainly didn’t want to kill myself trying to crank them out.
I reminded myself that I wanted a simple Christmas this year…
{Farmhouse Christmas Ornament}
A clean house, enjoying Christmas music, spending time with my family, and some simple, but home-cooked meals.
That’s the kind of Christmas I want.
I ran myself a nice hot bath, called my good friend, (who I hadn’t spoken to in months), and had a nice long chat, and then I went to bed early.
So will I be sharing Christmas projects with you this year?
Yes… I do have some planned.
Will there be 12 of them?
I have NO idea.
I’ll get done what I get done. There may be only 1, or there may be 20.
I just know I want to have a stress-free Christmas – as much as possible.
I don’t want to go Christmas crazy.
{It Is Well With My Soul Printable}
If you’re in the mood for some Christmas right away though, pay a visit to 30 of my fellow bloggers who participated in the 31 Handmade Christmas Ornaments Blog Hop with me (links below), and you’ll get lots of inspiration and ideas!
Yesterday on Tuesday
The Silly Pearl
Cupcakes and Crinoline
Celebrating Everyday Life
AnExtraordinaryDay
All Things Heart and Home
Petticoat Junktion
Sew a Fine Seam
Creative Crochet Workshop
Shabby Art Boutique
Morena’s Corner
From My Front Porch To Yours
Pet Scribbles
Sweet Pea
Dukes and Duchesses
Simply Kelly Designs
Town and Country Living
One Artsy Mama
The Crafting Nook
Our Southern Home
StoneGable
Love of Home
Lovely Etc.
Remodelando la Casa
504 Main
Knick of Time
Refresh Restyle
The Cottage Market
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Heathered Nest
Sum of their Stories
Blessings,
I agree Angie:-)
Smart girl!! Enjoy the season!
Happy to read that you opened your eyes and saw the correct road to take. We give into the demands we put on ourselves that we miss out on the gifts of each day… breathe in and appreciate the people and the moments. Your Christmas will be good!
Kathleen, it is so true that most of my stress is self-inflicted. Life can be stressful enough without piling even more on ourselves!
I read a saying a while back that said….if you want to make God laugh, just tell Him your plans. I believe you lived that saying to the hilt! Thank goodness, you were reminded of your Christmas dream. Dream on & enjoy!
LOL – I think that is so true, Harriett!
Good for you, Angie…that’s what it’s all about. I’m all about the simple this year, too!
This past May I lost a dear brother-in-law to liver cancer age 52, June this year, I lost the sweetest sister of leukemia age 60, and October 27 we buried my only brother, he had just turned 65, worked hard all his life and looking forward to retirement…l’m a very organized, control freak..even dust has it’s place..(little dramatic there) but you get the idea of who I am..now..do blogs really matter? does a messy house matter? do we really need that Christmas tree up in November and decorate and clean the house until it sparkles? do we do that for ourselves or our family and friends?? What I’ve learned is take TIME with your family and friends..downplay Christmas..now all I have are memories and a few pictures…I’d give anything to be able to “spend time” with my loved ones..
Oh my, Vickie – I’m so sorry. I wish you could have more time with all your loved ones too.
Good reminder about what is really important. Sounds like your son is a Blessing. Enjoy your time with your family.
I had the same goal and I am so-o-o trying to go easy on decor this year, just don’t know if I can keep it simple!
There seems to be a lot of this simpler Christmas thing going on. I think if you’re in that place you really need to go with that theme. This has been one heck of a year for me for a variety of reasons. I haven’t decided yet whether to really pare down or whether decorating will lift my spirits. A lot of it will depend on time and energy. Go with the flow!
Just want to say…your son is quite the young man for all he did!
He really is such a blessing to me, Fran! Cleaning is not his cup of tea, so it really meant a lot to me that he offered to help!
Sounds like the perfect mindset to approach the upcoming holidays! I am all for going easy on myself when it seems like life is just hurtling everything past you. My biggest challenge is to not feel guilty about not going all out for the holidays – like I usually do and which always ends up with me exhausted and overwhelmed. This year I too am embracing the “keep it simple” and hopefully my family will understand and embrace it also.
Liz, I do think our families appreciate and notice all we do to make the holidays special, but I really think it can still be done without totally exhausting ourselves so we can’t even enjoy the season. I’m really focused on very simple things I can do this year that won’t make me or my family miserable in the process! 🙂
Good idea,enjoy these next two months with your family and have a great time,that is what is important.
Thanks Marlene! I’m actually looking forward to a little getaway this weekend, without stressing over projects!
Good for you. I think you have learned a valuable lesson for yourself.
High five to your son for pitching in, too.
*Smiles*
good for you……i would rather see QUALITY projects…..a few at that. Than to see a LOT of silly things.
Our holidays should be about Family, Friends, Caring and Sharing. If whatever you are doing doesn’t involve one of those 4 important things, it isn’t worth getting crazy over. I love you called your old friend and took a hot bath–Friends, Caring, and Sharing—and I bet your Family was glad, too. LOL, Sandi
Good for you Angie. I can’t even imagine how time consuming it is to be a blogger. I know I expect a lot from myself and if I was trying to please thousands of people I would be crazy ! Take it easy and enjoy the holidays with your loved ones. Everyone else will still be here.
Thanks Marijean!
What a wonderful post, Angie..Your words are wise, inspiring and so true.. It’s very easy to get caught up in all of it. And it seems like every year there’s the temptation to do more. What a thoughtful, helpful son you have. That’s a special gift right there! Your photos are lovely. So glad that you’re taking time for yourself and that you’ve found some peace and direction. Thank you for the reminder to keep it real and simple. Holiday Blessings to you and your family <3
Tamara
Always good to stop and think about what’s really important. Glad you were able to break free from your “to do” mindset and take a well-deserved bath and girl-friend break 🙂 I think I hear my bath calling me…
Angie
This post was like a babbling brook.
Words trickling over themselves in no particular rush, each with meaning and a purpose. Leading me to an even pool of calm.
I LOVE that you WANT to Create,
but
that you prioritise LIVING along with it.
Thank you for reminding us all.
<3
Pia
That is my hope for this Christmas. We are doing some easier to prepare meals. There may be only cinnamon rolls for breakfast and sandwiches for supper. And I am only doing one tree in the living room. I plan to get my cleaning and organizing done by Thanksgiving so I can relax and enjoy my family and friends. Life is short. I hope you are feeling better and I hope your Dad is doing well with therapy.