Know Your Limits

We can't do everything. At least, I know I can't. In this season, it's all too easy to fill our calendars and to-do lists to overflowing with holiday busyness. We rush and rush, feeling like we have to do everything in order to have a perfect Christmas.

I want to do ALL THE THINGS. I want to make all my own food (mostly healthy, of course). I want to make frugal, natural cleaning products for my house. I want to buy fresh, local, organic food. I want to support causes that are important to me. I want to pour into friendships with people both near and far. I want to be engaged at work and at home. I want to keep a clean house. I want to crochet blankets and paint canvases and bake treats and watch all the shows on my Netflix queue. I want to serve in soup kitchens and meal packing stations and wherever else I can. I want to donate to organizations helping alleviate hunger, providing shelter for the homeless, safety and hope for the abused, and those that spread the good news of the Gospel. I want to spend time with my family, build my community, and still have enough time to myself to not go crazy. I want to run new routes and push myself to new limits. I want to learn and grow and not be complacent.

But my skills and time are limited. I work full time and have other commitments and plans outside of work, too. I realistically can't do everything that I want to do. At least not all at once. I need to know when to say no. I need to understand the seasonal rhythm of my life and carefully choose what's best from all the good options before me.

I'm trying to categorize my options to better decide which things I will say "yes" to and which I will say "no" to.

1. Core commitments. I have to go to work-- that's not optional. But besides that, I have committed to my church, community, and my family. I have said I'm going to show up, and so I have a responsibility to be present. That means that family birthday parties and holidays take precedence over other things, and church family gatherings are prioritized.
2. Things that bring me joy. I love reading and crafting. I love exercising and cooking. I would be disoriented without those things in my life, and they're a part of my regular rhythm. I also love watching Christmas movies (especially with others) and Christmas parties, so those will definitely make the cut this year. But I don't love stressful Christmas shopping or spending a lot of time outside in the cold. No, thank you.
3. Sanity-savers. I'm an introvert, and that means I can't function without enough alone time to recharge. In the midst of the holiday season, that can be challenging, but I know I have to set aside time to read, rest, and recuperate in solitude.
4. Things that align with my purpose or goals. If I'm presented with an opportunity to take part in something I really believe in, something that fits my personality and gifts, then I will say yes. If my plate is already full, or if something sounds good but not great, then I'll pass and let someone else who is better suited for it step up.
5. Spur-of-the-moment things. I struggle with spontaneous plans, mostly because I usually have mentally committed to something else, even if it's just a night at home to read by myself. That being said, these things get fit in when I do have time (especially if they bring me joy and align with my goals), and I pass on them when I have other things planned without feeling guilty.
6. Things that can wait. There are things around the house that I would really love to check off my list. But they aren't necessary for having a wonderful holiday season, so I'm pushing them to the back burner. No painting the kitchen cabinets this month.
7. Everyday housekeeping. Starting with (but not limited to) actual housekeeping. I will say "yes" to the basic things to keep my house clean but not stress about having it picture-perfect or let it get in the way of my hospitality.

Despite the pressure to move through this season like a spinning top, I am choosing to set aside time to rest and cherish the real reason for the season. I'm going to say "no" to things that hinder my heartfelt celebration of Christmas and purposefully choose to participate in things that let me really enjoy it as much as I can. I'm going to be intentional about planning things out so that I don't try to cram in more than I can handle or have to pull all-nighters to get things finished in the final hour.

No matter what I do, I'm going to regularly remind myself of what really matters. Investing in my people matters. Being thankful matters. Taking care of myself matters. But having a perfectly decorated house or beautiful, detail-oriented dinner party doesn't matter if I'm a big ball of stress.

So here's to a wonderful, intentional, purposeful Christmas season. May you and I both learn to say "yes" and "no" to the right things, respecting our own limits and those of others as we do our best to celebrate the season without losing our minds in the process.

What about you? What are you making time for? What are you saying "yes" or "no" to? What are your limits?