Why do I say no to almost everything in the month of December? And how am I able to do it? That’s what we’re chatting about in today's episode. 

Transcript:

Welcome to Everyday Happiness where we create lasting happiness, in 2 minutes a day,  through my signature method of Intentional Margins® (creating harmony between your to-dos and your priorities), happiness science, and musings about life. 

I'm your host Katie Jefcoat and I was talking to a friend about how I plan my December and she was shocked.  Not because I was doing it, I am a planner, but because I’ve never shared how I do it.   

It starts at the beginning of Q4.  That’s October 1st as I am laying out my responsibilities for the rest of the year.  I like to take a quarterly approach.  What I do is I front load Q4 into October and the first two weeks of November.  Why, you might ask … well, here it goes.  

I love the holidays.  I love the twinkle lights.  I love the merriment.  I love the gatherings of friends.  I love wrapping presents.  I also love order.  I love calm.  Overwhelm is my kryptonite.  I love getting gifts in the mail to friends and family that I won’t see during the holidays the first week-ish of December.  I also love ordering my holiday cards on Black Friday and then addressing them and getting them in the mail in the half of December as well.  Usually I watch a Christmas movie and take my time.  

What minimalist December allows me to do, is have some calm in what is otherwise a super busy month, by saying no to almost everything that doesn’t bring me holiday cheer.  I don’t want January to roll around and December to have been a stressful blur.  Believe me, I’ve been there.  

Now, I still have some responsibilities, for example, this podcast.  But even this podcast brings me happiness and as much as I want the content to be good and thoughtful for you, it’s also for me.  It reminds me how I want to show up as the best version of myself.  We’re all riding the happiness train together - and some days are a little bumpy.   

I also use some time in December to reflect on the year and plan for next year.

So, taking advice from Dr. Santo’s over at Yale, I’m savoring all the moments I can this month.  Until next time. 

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