The holidays are upon us and the pressure and stress is real. Whether you are an entrepreneur trying to promote holiday sales, push out social media content or a 9-5’er that has a big family and big Christmas plans, it can all be a bit overwhelming. But guess what, it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how to unplug and practice self-care during the holidays…

1. Walk over to the power outlet and unplug your phone.

2. Turn off your ringer.

3. Turn off the power button on your computer.

4. Walk into the bathroom and draw a bath.

5. Light a candle, sit in the bathtub.

6. Exhale.

7. Don’t give a fuck about anyone or anything, except you, in this moment right now.

It’s that easy. I know, you expected some long list of tips on how to cope with holiday stress, how to manage your schedule, how to hire holiday help or some meaningful ways on practicing self-care….blah, blah, blah. I’m here to tell you that it’s as simple as just doing it. You can read articles and blog posts on how-to advice, but that is just distracting you from actually doing it. Believe me, when it comes to the pressure of the holidays and running a business, I have over 20 years experience of pulling my hair out and going crazy to keep up. This year, I come first. This year, so should you. Celebrate the holidays, throw lavish parties, travel, shop til’ you drop, but do it after you’ve checked in with yourself first.

My business has grown by leaps and bounds this year and I’m beyond grateful. But, if I don’t put myself first and practice self-love, my business fails and so do I. When I need 30 minutes to decompress or an afternoon nap because I was up half the night working on a client project, I stop what I’m doing and take that time to rest. I spent many years trying to one up myself every holiday by buying a million gifts, creating a ton of content and not enjoying the holidays the way they were meant to be enjoyed.

This is a time to reflect, relax and have fun with family and friends. Soak in the sights, smells and memories. Be good to yourself, give your mind a break and allow yourself to plan for the new year. Think about your goals and dreams and know that they aren’t going anywhere. I promise you they will still be there when you wake up from your Christmas cookie coma.

There is a fine balance of maintaining your mental health and still getting work done. It’s all about prioritizing and planning ahead. So when you feel yourself overwhelmed, anxious or lacking creativity, just walk away. Take a hot bath, take a drive, take a nap or treat yourself to an afternoon movie. Sometimes those little ways we show ourselves love, gives us more energy and enthusiasm to continue our day. Be aware of how you are feeling and most of all, don’t get caught up in comparing yourself or your journey to anyone else.

♥️

…and if you need a little help with your holiday shopping don’t forget to enter to win an $800 Sephora Gift Card! I’ve rounded up a few of my self-care favorites below!

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