Reduce Overwhelm During the Holiday Season
As we welcome a new year, we tend to feel overwhelmed when the bills start to come in. You overspent for the holidays, or perhaps you didn't get paid for a portion of the time that you were off.In today's post, we will discuss some steps you can take in order to decrease the amount of overwhelm you may be receiving.
Create a budget
I know you hear it all the time, create a budget. Saying it tends to be easier than being able to follow through on it. When you create a budget out of a place of gratitude and being able to see the long term future, it is easier to stick to the budget.I see it all the time - new year, new me! I have been there myself, especially when it come to working out and getting healthier. In order to keep myself on track, I have to have a plan or I will fall off of track within the first couple of days.A budget is similar. When you want to reach your financial goals, having a plan in place to reach these goals, is super important. Don't fear the word budget but rather embrace it and think of it as a spending plan. All good budgets have some spending money for yourself in it while allowing yourself to pay down debt or save the money you would like to save.
Take some time to be grateful for what you currently have
We can get overswept with the items that we did not receive for the holidays that we may have wanted...so we go on a spending spree for ourselves in order to get these items (hello, new books, clothing and computer/office accessories!). I have fallen victim to this myself many times and then I feel regret for the items I've purchased as it now something else that I have spent money on.By being grateful for what you currently have, you will make yourself feel more rich and complete. You will start to truly recognize what is important to you and where you would like that money to go.For me, I will take the time to get myself in a state of gratitude prior to doing an online purchase. It allows me to confirm that the items I am purchasing are truly for my higher self or will bring me that extra happiness.A gratitude practice doesn't have to take long. It can be as short as 30 seconds - start with the small things like:
- I am grateful for my health
- I am grateful for the sun shining
- I am grateful for fresh water
- I am grateful for my friends and family
By listing out your items verbally, mentally or written, you can definitely start to feel your mindset shift and you will be less likely to buy the items that you were looking to buy on impulse.
Be present in the moment
This point continues on the gratitude post above but it is especially important when you are with friends and family.Taking away distractions when you are with others, allows you to really feel the love and excitement around you. You can see the vibration of those around you. Taking the time to really listen and participate allows you to stop worrying and stressing.They say that worry and anxiety happen when you are living for the past or the future. By living in the present, you will not feel these expressions.For me, I try to leave my phone in the other room more often. Wake up in the morning and do some inner reflection (bible study, journalling, working out, reading) before I start the day. When I am out for dinner, I leave my phone in the pocket and not look at it during the dinner. These are small things that I am doing more often to allow myself to be more present more often.I'd love to hear what you will start to implement to become more present more often.XO KathleenP.S. Have you grabbed your free financial checklist to start changing your mindset today? If not, you can grab it here.