The holiday season is right around the corner. When we think about this time of year, words like fun, stress, excitement, busy, grief, and family time may come to mind. We want to make the most of the time we spend with friends and family, engaging in activities, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. With all the activities and things to do, you may start thinking to yourself. How can I be intentional with the time that I have? We all get the same 24 hours a day. So, let’s use this time with intention and purpose!
Why is time so precious?
I am sure we can all look back on events or moments in our lives and wish we had more time. Perhaps more time to let precious moments linger, more time to spend with loved ones, more time to just… be. That’s the fickle thing about time; it’s a finite resource. We only get so much time in a day, 24 hours to be exact. It’s very easy to get caught up in things that don’t really matter or don’t align with what you want to accomplish, which can sidetrack you from your goals.
How do I be intentional with my time?
- Set priorities – Think about what you want out of your holiday season. It may be time with family/friends, writing cards to people near and far, or volunteering. Whatever your top priority is, always keep it in mind and base your decisions around it.. If putting out all your holiday decorations is going to distract you from writing and mailing all your cards, then only put out your favorite decorations.
- Be realistic with time – It’s always a good idea to estimate how much time you would like to devote to your priorities. If you are prioritizing spending time with loved ones, find times when you all can get together. Then, when you are together, limit distractions and truly enjoy those moments.
- Write about the moments – Journal about the season! Reflect on the moments, how they made you feel, what you were doing, who you were with, and other details. This is a great opportunity to reflect and reminisce.
- Have a positive mindset – When you have a positive attitude, it can shift your outlook on life, activities, and more. You can cultivate a positive mindset simply by trying to find the good in any situation. For example, maybe you don’t like cold weather, and it makes you grumpy. You can reframe those negative feelings and find a positive thought: “It’s perfect weather for a nice walk outside with a hot beverage and a good friend.”
Remember to take care of yourself during this holiday season. Enjoy the moments, slow down, and try to prioritize the things that are the most important to you.
Source: Stanford Report, Making the most of your holiday time
Emily Harmon is responsible for family life programming in the counties of Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, Vermilion, and other parts of Illinois as needed. Emily's areas of interest are working with older adults to provide healthy living and healthy aging programming. She is passionate about providing resources to empower individuals to make decisions for themselves to improve their overall well-being. Another area of interest is working with Money Mentor volunteers.