Monday motivation – focus.
Step one – diffuse spearmint and lime essential oil
Step two – a cup of peppermint tea
Step three – a handful of berries
(For extra oomph I’ll light a candle and burn some incense)
Sit down – after going outside and playing in the garden so I’ll concentrate for a period of time.
Make sure others in the house are occupied and won’t come asking for snacks, for a walk or start talking randomly to me.
Now, fingers poised above the keyboard – ready, steady – type!
Halloween or Christmas?
Do you have a preference? Either, neither, both, or you don’t care either way?
Growing up, years ago, in a small country town, there was no Halloween, and Christmas was the same every year, planned, organised, quiet, just the three of us, once Dad passed. No family or friends, and the highlight of the holiday period was Boxing Day on the years Uncle Andy and his family came to visit. The only time we saw any family and I loved having my cousins in the house.
As a new mum I was determined Christmas would be fun for our kids, and it was, until what I describe as the rift, or the Christmas curse tore them away from me. Pre-rift I made so many decorations with the kids, and I loved it. Sure, it was chaotic with four small children, but they were the happiest days. Even then, Halloween wasn’t really a thing.
Fast forward quite a few years – more than twenty to be exact, and Halloween has become popular over here on the other side of the world. Since the rift, I’ve not enjoyed Christmas at all, except for those few spent with my bestie – Mary you know who you are.
I don’t celebrate the holidays with family or friends, not really, but I think I can like the traditions. Way back when I loved the craft part – making things with my kids. It’s part of what I love about Halloween – that I can make witchy things, and while I don’t decorate the house, I could, and I probably will one day. Could the same be said about Christmas? My wish come true would be to have my kids with me for Christmas, but failing that, could I make decorations or crafty things for Christmas anyway? For the blokes here with me (hubby and dog named Bloke).
The thing that’s interesting, now that I’m not making things for markets or garage sales, is that whatever I make is just for me, and that’s unusual for me. I’ve already wrapped up some goodies to gift to others, but going forward, whatever I make will be because I want to, not because I think it will sell or because someone else may like it. Unless they ask, then I’ll absolutely make special orders.
But I digress (see even with my focus activity I went slightly off track) – Halloween or Christmas? I guess both have their place. I’m still the grinch, and I embrace that critter and the crankiness and craziness of it all.
Whether we choose to celebrate it all, some of it, or none at all, and how we celebrate is an individual thing. No stress, no anxiety, no obligations or expectations. Let’s try things a little differently this year – just be ourselves and try to enjoy each day as it unfolds in front of us.
Happy Halloween, Merry Christmas, and may the week be wonderfully kind to everyone!