Don’t you just love this time of year? Everyone appears to be in such high spirits and stress aside there is nothing better than the run-up to Christmas – it’s one of my most favourite times of the year.
One of the best things is giving to others and showing your loved ones how much you mean to them. Obviously, I realise that you don’t need gifts to do this, but the art of giving is so uplifting. Then there is the total flip side to this, we give so much to others during the festive season, which is a massive part of it, but what about ourselves? I do find that at this time of year, we tend to neglect ourselves even more because we’re totally consumed with writing lists of ways to treat everyone else.
No matter the time of year, we should all be making sure that we are making ourselves a priority and our needs are being met. Carving in some time for yourself is not only blissful and sure to make you feel good, but it’s also restorative and great for your wellbeing too. Not that you should ever need an excuse, but Christmas gives us a fantastic opportunity to treat ourselves to a massive dose of self care.
As the year comes to a close, we can feel absolutely run down and exhausted and ready to hibernate over the Christmas holidays. Making yourself your own passion project so that you’re all prepared for the new year ahead is a great self care practice. I like to slow things down, every December I book myself in for a hairdresser’s appointment and give my hair a real treat. Last year, I transformed it with some balayage highlights and this year I ended up getting it reconditioned, cut all the straggly heat damaged ends off and my colour touched up. Spending an hour or so being pampered and having that time to myself was heavenly.
In the craziness that can be Christmas, with gift buying, preparing a festive meal, visiting friends and family and various activities it’s nice to slow things down and find a calmer moment. My hair appointment every December (I do go other times in the year too) is my calm among all the madness, it’s nothing complicated or very time-consuming, but it allows me to hibernate from it all for a while, escape the end of year to-do list. Plus, how lovely is it to give back to yourself for all the amazing things that you have achieved in the year just gone by.
How beautiful is your blender!!! Although I realise this article isn’t about the blender, I can’t help but notice it’s rose gold goodness!!
Love it!
My husband and I like to escape from the Christmas mania by going for long dog walks, with a flask of tea, and maybe a tipple of something if we don’t have to drive. It gets us fresh air and us-time – which is scarce when spending Christmas with family.
C x
I really don’t but reading this has made me see that I really do need to! I think I neglect myself at this time of year more than ever!
just having a break from normal routine is usually enough for me. A few lie ins help for sure
I don’t really have a self care ritual this time of the year, I just chill and watch movies and eat more than usual hahah
I agree a good time of a year to reflect and let things go, life is way to short
I agree that taking some time out at this point of the year is so important. I’m very much looking forward to a break over the Christmas period!
Christmas is really one of those times of year when we seem to always be on the go and forget to look out for ourselves as much as we should. I love that you are sharing your self care ritual as hopefully it will help people take their own breath and time for themselves.
I love the fact you make time for yourself every year and get your hair done.I really should do something like this for me as I always forget about looking after myself!
This is the time of year for reflection, isn’t it? I have been doing a little bit of it myself in between the madness!
I totally agree that making ourselves a priority is important – I need to do this as I have been manic x
I wish I had a more creative self care thing to share. I just make sure that I get a decent amount of sleep and I find myself watching many movies lol
Great to see that you are investing time in yourself, it is so easy to neglect oneself. The best pamper is a haircut, as it can give you a new lease of live and change your look.
I definitely need a self care ritual at Christmas! I’m feeling so stressed out with it all!
I definitely agree that self care at this time of year is vital. I like to escape for long bubbly baths but I’m so busy this year I haven’t had much chance and definitely notice the difference. Thanks for this, a good reminder to slow down a little.
I have cake mixer envy, the colour is just beautiful!! It is vital to take some time for yourself this time of year as it is so busy
We’re making sure we are getting time to ourselves over the festive period. So much so that we’ve booked a retreat! Great advice x
Life can get so busy at times! For me Saturdays tend to be the day where I do some pampering but sometimes I’m so tired all I do is sleep, I guess that still counts as self care.
This year we are just staying at home, as last year we had a 180 mile round trip to some relatives in South Yorkshire. This year, we are staying home with just us and the dogs. With the minimal amount of stress as possible. Great post.
Thanks for Sharing
John M
It’s so easy to get caught up in the craziness of Christmas, but it’s a nice time to reflect too.
I always try to take an hour for myself – it gets a bit much at this time of year!
It’s so important to keep some time for yourself over the festive holidays! It’s so easy to forget.