The Final Countdown

Hey Mama!

It's the final countdown to Christmas and the new year! This year has just flown by hasn't it?

If you are anything like me you have a million and one things to get done, you are anxious, tired and honestly just over it all.

It blows my mind when I think about all of the money, time, and prep that goes into this one day! And I hate even saying DAY because Christmas is really only a few hours when you think about how quickly gifts are opened. I don't even want to start on this years festivities as it's been even more of a calamity because the DUNLAPS are hosting and a new COVID variant is thriving.

So you know what that means. More money on food, more money on gifts, more money on EVERYTHING. Oh' and let's not forget my mixed emotions because of all that has already been going on with the world. Honestly I'm just filled with fear and hesitation. I'm just trying to keep a brave face for the holidays.

I can't lie. I do complain a bit while I am decorating and wrapping gifts but I think it's just something I do so that my husband can acknowledge all of the work that I am doing and how tired I actually am! The truth is I enjoy the end result so much I really am just talking smack.

I enjoy walking into my home and seeing all of the lights on the tree, I enjoy seeing the smiles on my babies faces and even my husband while he is relaxing after a long day lounging on the couch. So long story short I am still going to decorate, buy gifts and spend more money than I probably should because the truth of the matter is that I have transitioned from the child that anticipated Christmas because I wanted to rip open gifts to being my mother, the woman who gets soOoOo much joy from seeing everyone else smile as they open their gifts, eat all of the yummy eats and just enjoy the love and company everyone around me.

It surprises me everyday how much I am like my mother! One BEAUTIFUL surprise with many intricate working parts. However one thing I never noticed my mother do up until recently was TAKE A BREAK! She would be so exhausted by the time she was finished doing everything I don't think she had the opportunity to enjoy the holiday season as much as she could have. Which is why although I am putting all of her tricks in my bag I am adding one of my OWN. Self-care for MAMA! is one of them and you know this MAMA is all about SELF - CARE.

At this point I just make sure I find the time and money to do something special for myself while I am doing something special for everyone else because one thing I have been working on is being present in my own life, being aware of my likes, dislikes, needs and wants. It's important for me to do this because not only does it help with my anxiety and mood swings it helps me to recenter.

In the moments that I am doing something for me no matter how small as it may be like rolling a joint and having a solo smoke session. I am reminded that even though I am tired I am beyond grateful! not just for materialistic things of course but for the kids that I am wrapping the gifts for, the husband that smiles when he doesn't even know that I'm looking at him while he looks at the tree, the family that comes to visit that praises my hosting skills and attention to detail.

Mama, make sure you always find the silver lining in everything that you do. You won't want to do half the things that you are supposedly RESPONSIBLE for and that's just a part of adulting not to mention being a MAMA and WIFE and that's okay, trust me when I say that it's 100% natural. Just remember not to get too bogged down with all of the details and have fun doing what you do. so Mama make sure you remember to do the following to make the remainder of this year's festivities and all of next years a bit more manageable for you which ultimately make things easier for EVERYONE.

• Slow down - Don't get overwhelmed with the social media idea of the holidays! it's FAKE and puts so much pressure on MAMA. Especially if you are a competitive MAMA.

• Budget - Start planning and prepping for the holidays in advance so that you aren't caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday rush. How does that saying go again? The early bird catches the worm.

• Breathe - When you are feeling distracted, distant or overwhelmed because of the holiday mayhem remember to breathe, collect yourself and let this one important message register. All that you are doing is APPRECIATED & You are APPRECIATED.

Happy holidays MAMA make them memorable not just for your kids and the other special people in your life but yourself. You deserve to be just as excited, overjoyed and happy as everyone that you are spending your time buying gifts for and decorating for.

Mama the holidays just would not be the same without you! make sure you jump infant of the lease when photos are being taken and most definitely take a second for yourself to regroup whenever you think it's necessary, not when someone suggests that you should rest.

The Good Girlfriend,

Mizz.Dunlap