Well, it's November 5th and it looks like Mariah Carey is all thawed out and officially giving us permission to jump right into holiday cheer. At my house, she's defrosted by November 1st (please, don't judge). And yes, I know that sounds exciting but it also means a lots of decor, things to do, gatherings, and trips, all while still keeping a sense of normalcy and keeping up with our routines. For those of us with ADHD, it’s so easy to feel overstimulated by it all and shut down. But don’t worry, I've got a few quick trips to help us keep our space tidy and our sanity intact through it all.
If you're anything like me, you love this time of year. Honestly, the holidays bring so much joy and excitement. I have an ornament that says "my favorite color is Christmas lights" and it truly represents how I feel about the season. BUT, it also packs in a lot. As it stands, I think all my weekends for the rest of 2024 are booked. With all the activities, events, and planning, keeping up with the usual daily tasks can feel like a full on juggling act. If you throw in travel plans or the possibility of hosting family/guests, it’s easy to feel like we’re hanging by a little itty bitty thread. And then we're expected to keep our homes tidy? Yeah, that can be a real test. Luckily for you, I am going to share some quick wins/tips that will be your best friend and get you through the 2024 holiday season!
Instead of aiming for perfection, we're going to focus on small steps that keep the clutter under control without taking up the entire day or weekend. Here are some of the tricks that are helping me keep it (my sanity) together, while also keeping our place together.
Numero uno: Pick one area, and yes as usual, set a timer for five minutes, and see how much you can do. It always surprises people when they realize what 5 focused minutes can help them accomplish. Doing this a couple of times a day can help you tackle some messes without even breaking a sweat.
Second tip is doing a nightly tidy. My husband and I (try really hard to) do this every single night. Right before bed, take
a couple of minutes to put things back in place. I try to handle the kitchen, he does the living room. Granted, to be fair, we don't have children, so I imagine it might be harder if you have young kids. But, maybe make it a fun activity and teach the young ones the importance of tidying for their well-being at an early age.
The last tip is a little challenge with yourself. Ready? Anytime you pick something up, don’t set it down somewhere else. If it’s in your hand, put it back where it belongs a.k.a don't put it down, put it away. This little rule might sound simple, but it’s a lifesaver because “I’ll get to it later” somehow never happens. You know it's true.
The holidays can be full of joy, laughter, and family fun. They do not have to be perfect, and neither does your space. But if it tends to get stressful, I really hope this all helps relieve some of that.
So go ahead, crank up that Mariah Carey or Pentatonix Christmas station and give yourself the gift of a little extra peace and joy this season.
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