5 ways to sparkle and shine this holiday season

December 19, 2018

By Brian Maynor

 

The holiday season is all about sparkle and shine, but sometimes things happen that dull them.

With less than a week before the big day, you may be feeling exhausted from all of the parties, frantic over buying and wrapping last minute gifts, or still struggling to get your decorations up.  As we get closer to next week, the pressures just keep mounting and it can become harder and harder to enjoy the season.

Fortunately there are a few ways we can calm the stress and help ensure we enjoy the magic of the season instead of spiraling into the mania of it.  Here are five ways we can de-stress as we count down to next week:

1.   Take a personal timeout.  During the season of giving, it’s important that we don’t forget to give to ourselves.  Whether it’s taking an hour a day to read a book or magazine, working out, or just taking a nap, no matter what self-care means to us it’s important to make sure we keep our names at the top of the giving list.

2.    Monitor our indulgences.  A few cookies here, a glass of wine or cider there, a small box of chocolates at the office all add up over the weeks making it easy to unconsciously overindulge.  Even the most mindful can abandon their healthy habits this time of year.  One way to keep ourselves in check is to set limits on how much we’re willing to indulge each week and stick to it.  It may not be easy, but we will thank ourselves for it in the end.

3.    Focus on the moment.  The general consensus is that the holidays fly by way too fast.  This is partly because we are too busy running around stressing over everything we have to get done.  The key to enjoying the season is to be in the moment.  Even if that moment is frantically looking for a last minute gift or standing in line at the grocery store.  They are all part of the season, and have their own holiday magic.

4.    Abandon the idea of perfection.  Social media, movies, TV shows and advertising may all capture the perfect holiday moment we all want, but it’s not reality.  What it doesn’t show is the hours of preparation, lighting, staging and post photo editing that were done to make it the perfect moment.  Don’t believe the hype.  The perfect holiday moment is the one we’re having right now.

5.    Accept our feelings.  Peace, love and joy are not the only emotions that run high during the holidays, and that’s normal.  Stress, anxiety, fear, regret and even anger can all flare up and ignoring or dismissing them does more harm than good.  Instead we need to accept our feelings and the first step is to name them.  When we name them we recognize and accept them making it easier to release them.  And don’t worry.  There is nothing wrong with us for feeling these emotions.

The holidays are a special time of year, but it’s just one of many days, weeks and months in the year.  When the stress feels too much to bear, remember the best gift we can ever give someone, including ourselves, is our time and attention.  Anything else is simply extra.

Happy Holidays!

 

 

I’m always excited to hear from you, so please email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.