4 Ways to find rest for your soul this holiday season

There’s an event coming up for the women at our church entitled, “Unwrapping rest in a weary world.” That title really made me do a double-take.

There are so many things that make humans in this world SO EXHAUSTED. Whether it’s work, children, events, or just the daily grind, there are a lot of drained people, simply surviving and hoping to become rejuvenated another day.

And if ever there’s a time for that extreme weariness to be amplified, you best believe it’s during the holidays.

The time from Thanksgiving to Christmas and New Years is one of the busiest and most hectic times of the year, and though a lot of it is natural, there are some ways to keep yourself not only sane, but thriving this Christmas season.

1. You don’t have to say yes to everything.
   
   What are the most important things to you? THAT’S what you should be saying yes to.
   
   So often, we get caught up in all of the voices and obligations pulling us from every direction, especially at the holidays. You want to be everything to everyone and please everyone and do everything, but that’s just not realistic.
   
   You need to prioritize what is the most important, and what will make your existence the most enjoyable as well as worthy. What will make YOU feel good.
   
   Don’t mistake that last sentence for selfishness, friends. What makes you feel good could be treating yourself to a manicure, OR it could be donating toys to a holiday toy drive for underprivileged kids in your area. Don’t underestimate the joy that comes from doing something good in the world.
   
   
2. Have realistic expectations.
   
   I have a little anecdote to share here.
   
   I remember my first year of PT school, living in the DC area, away from my family. Bryson and I had decided to go up to Lancaster and see my family on Black Friday and spend the rest of that weekend there with them. The plan was to stay in northern VA and spend Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day with Bryson’s family before we left.
   
   Then, we got word that wonderful friends of ours in Lancaster were getting engaged on Thanksgiving Eve and were having a party to celebrate. Of course, we switched our plan and decided to head up to Lancaster that Wednesday after work/class.
   
   No one considers the worst traffic day of the year as a big deal...UNTIL you live in Washington DC and realize that there is no hope for you getting anywhere. After 4.5 hours in the car (rather than the normal 2 and change) we arrived (very late) and celebrated with our overjoyed friends.
   
   We spent the next day with my family until 2pm, and then went right back down to Bryson’s family’s celebration in VA. We had a wonderful time with them, before heading back up to PA on Friday afternoon, and then spending Saturday with my other side of the family near Philadelphia. When we finally made it back to VA on Sunday, our heads were spinning and we were exhausted.
   
   While we loved every minute of those special celebrations, there was no mistaking the mistake we’d made. The fatigue we had set on ourselves would last at least a week, during the most hectic time of my school semester, and it had deleterious effects on our mental health the foreseeable future.
   
   
   
   
   Don’t exhaust yourself by trying to be a superhero; be realistic about your capabilities and what will truly be worth your efforts.
   
   
3. Self-care first, holiday mayhem second.
   
   Take time for yourself.
   
   Holidays come with so many amazing memory opportunities, with events and parties and gatherings, but don’t take for granted the fact that you can make some of the best memories of all by being still.
   
   There’s nothing that says perfect holiday like having a slow morning with your family, talking about what you’re thankful for, and savoring the moment.
   
   Create some time for you to be by yourself before or during the festivities as well. This can be through waking up early and drinking tea while doing some quiet reading, or staying up a little later than others, relaxing by a crackling fire with a good book.
   
   
   
   
   You can even take a time out to go get a massage or go for a walk along a quiet path during one of the days between Christmas and New Years.
   
   
   
   
   Whatever way you find to make time for yourself will work; you just have to make the choice to actually do it. The mayhem will come as it always does, but you will have taken the time to restore yourself to be ready to handle it.
   
   
4. Set a goal to be present over perfect.
   
   This is a big one for me. I really have a hard time just being with company rather than busying myself, trying to make sure everything is done well and looks good and is presentable.
   
   
   
   
   I tend to be much more of a Martha than a Mary when it comes to entertaining, when I really should just savor being in the presence of friends. (To find out what I'm talking about in the “Martha and Mary” story I’m alluding to, read Luke 10:38-42 in the Bible).
   
   The main point is, you’re not perfect, and no one expects you to be. No one expects the holiday to go off without a hitch either.
   
   
   
   
   And you know what? That’s perfect. It’s okay if the dinner gets burnt and the dog pulls 5 ornaments off of the tree and sends them soaring to their death by way of hardwood floor. 

The holidays are exactly what you make of them, and it’s my hope that you are able to spend yours engulfed in joy.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly...singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." -Colossians 3:15-16

Let me know some of the ways you stay sane and find peace during the Christmas season in the comments!

Thanks for reading, friends.