I don’t know about you, but October through December is my absolute favorite time of year. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas? Incredible. Since I was a little kid, I have called this time the “boom, boom, boom” season because once Halloween hits, the rest of the year seems like a whirlwind. For many people, the last quarter of the year is filled with so many fun holidays, traditions and activities. With so much going on, though, sometimes self-care can be pushed to the back burner. I find it crucial during this time of year to carve out me-time into my schedule when I can. Here are just a few of my favorite activities to keep myself sane during the notoriously crazy “boom, boom, boom” season.
- Take a nap.
-
Anyone who knows me knows that naps are one of my favorite activities on the planet. There’s just something so satisfying about laying down for a nap and not having anything to do with the rest of the day (if I’m feeling extra risky, I don’t even set an alarm). I always wake up from naps refreshed and with a clear head.
- Go for a walk.
-
Since it’s finally feeling like fall outside, I have been wanting to take a walk or just spend time outside. I love the outdoors, but I don’t prioritize outside time as much as I probably should. Lovely Missouri weather does not always allow for fall strolls, but I like to take advantage of those random warm November days and really just enjoy life.
- Hang out with friends.
-
Lately, I haven’t had much time to hang out with friends, so the only people I have seen much of are my roommates, and that’s only because we live under the same roof. I want to try and plan at least one friend date per week with a friend that I don’t see often. Hopefully this will give me something to look forward to throughout the week, as well as help me to build stronger relationships with the people I love.
- Face mask and Netflix binge.
-
As the weather gets chillier, my favorite Friday night activity usually shifts from going out with friends to staying in with friends. I love treating myself to a hydrating face mask while watching something on Netflix. My personal preference is a rom-com (the cheesier, the better) or a light-hearted sitcom.
- Drink coffee and listen to good music.
-
If I had to pick one activity to do for the rest of my life, I think it would be sitting in my room with a candle burning, a warm cup of coffee in my hands and music playing from my record player. If that doesn’t sound like absolute bliss, then I don’t know what does. Bonus points if you actually just sit there and listen. No homework, no nothing. Just be in the moment.
- Journal.
-
Recently, I have really gotten into journaling. It took me a while to get into it because I always had this feeling that I wasn’t doing it right. But I’ll let you in on a little secret I’ve learned: there is no right or wrong way to journal. Personally, I like to journal when I experience strong emotions —happy, sad and everything in between. I’ve found that when I’m stressed, writing out exactly what I’m thinking helps me pinpoint the cause of my emotions.
Like I said, the final few months of the year are my favorite. I thrive in a fun, busy, fast-paced environment and the holiday season definitely meets the criteria. However, if I don’t plan intentional rest time throughout the season, I’ll be burnt out before we even eat the turkey on Thanksgiving. So, enjoy this exciting and crazy time of year with the ones you love, but remember to check in on yourself every now and then.