Creating Around the Holidays
It is always a tough decision to focus on creating and working on your business when the holidays roll around.
Especially if you are like me and your business is a side hustle working around the clock after holding down a full time job. It may be exhausting, but keep it up, it will be worth it one day!
I am a huge holiday fanatic and personally love to celebrate all things Christmas and cozy around November and December. It is easy to lose motivation and keep balance between it all. With shopping, gift making, party planning and family activities taking up most of my time, it all gets to be a bit overwhelming around this busy season.
I put a lot of thought into holiday gifts and enjoy making them by hand, but I’m also an empath and love to make sure I have something special for every single person in my life. This is a difficult task to take on, and don’t get me wrong I absolutely love doing it, but it becomes stressful with commissions and creating new holiday pieces as well as new social media content and such.
So, I have tried approaching the holidays a little differently this year and wanted to share some of the helpful changes I am making. I implore you to try the same if you struggle similarly!
First, I chose smaller, more simple gifts to give friends. Still thoughtful, cute, and creative without draining my energy or bank account.
Second, I got a head start on family gift ideas so that I had what I needed together well before it got too crazy to catch up.
Third, I am trying to worry less about planning a multitude of parties and events with friends.
As much as I love a lot of holiday themed hangouts, they can take precious time away from creating. Instead of a get-together every couple of days, I chose two or three holiday outings to host/attend. If I finish a project early and make some free time in my schedule, then I can see how I feel and either keep working or add another fun holiday outing! With this game plan I can still be festive and feel good about how much work I achieved. This way when it is time to go out and have fun, I can actually enjoy myself instead of stressing and thinking I should be working!
With these simple adjustments, I have been able to find a way to enjoy the process while also completing commission work with a holiday deadline. Since holidays are a great time for business and commissions, I believe that it is extremely empowering and positive to keep your art/work/business a priority if it is important to you and something that enriches your life!
I had to take on a new perspective. Don't be afraid to simplify your process and lighten your load a bit. As long as you are moving forward it does not matter how fast, as long as you are enjoying the process. If your business and craft makes you happy it is something you should continue through the holiday season to promote relaxation and keep from those end of the year blues. As much joy as gifts and the holidays can bring, remember that in order to radiate love, joy, and kindness we have to take care of ourselves first so that we have extra love and energy to give. Especially around the time when giving and showing love is the highlight of the season.
So, this December make sure you are taking extra time for your own self care so that you have energy to devote to your passions, your creativity, your business, AND your loved ones in a healthy, balanced way.
Most importantly, remind yourself that if you do end up falling a bit behind in your work, you can always kick it into high gear when the holidays are over with a fresh new take. So don't be too hard on yourself, life is simply a garland of moments woven together....and you deserve to enjoy every moment of this magical season.
