Are You Planning for the Holidays? or Just Preparing for Them?
The holiday season is almost here! It's a time many of us look forward to, with family gatherings, favorite traditions, and opportunities to enjoy time with the people we care about.
But there's something interesting about the way we approach this time of year. We spend weeks thinking about everything that needs to get done, yet often give much less thought to what we actually want to enjoy.
The shopping, decorating, cooking, cleaning, and family gatherings begin filling our calendars. Before long, we're so focused on preparing for the holidays that we barely have time to enjoy them when they arrive.
Perhaps the problem isn't everything we have to do. It's that we haven't made enough room for what matters.
What Are You Really Making Time For?
When I worked as a professional organizer, I often found that people weren't simply looking for cleaner homes or better-organized closets. They wanted their homes to function better so they could spend less time dealing with everyday frustrations and more time enjoying their lives.
The same principle applies to our holiday schedules.
Imagine someone who looks forward to hosting Thanksgiving every year. They enjoy gathering with family, sharing a meal, and spending time together.
But as the holiday approaches, their attention shifts to cleaning, shopping, cooking, and making sure everything is just right. By the time everyone arrives, they're exhausted from the preparations.
The gathering happened, but the experience they were looking forward to somehow got lost along the way.
Being prepared for something and making time to enjoy it aren't necessarily the same thing.
Make Room for the Experience First
Before filling your calendar with holiday responsibilities, consider what you'd actually like this season to include.
Perhaps it's a relaxed Thanksgiving dinner, a quiet evening with family, or simply having a weekend without too many commitments.
Whatever matters to you, make room for it first.
This doesn't mean the preparations aren't important. But knowing what you're making time for can help you decide what truly needs your attention.
If spending time with family is your priority, perhaps not every dish needs to be homemade. Maybe some preparations can happen earlier, or others can contribute to the meal.
The goal isn't to do everything perfectly. It's to create an experience you can actually enjoy.
And don't assume that time to relax will simply appear once everything else is finished. There's almost always something more that could be done. If something matters to you, give it a place on your calendar.
As the holiday season approaches, consider whether the way you're spending your time supports the experiences you're hoping to have.
After all, getting organized isn't just about accomplishing more. It's about making life easier and creating room for what matters.
For more on preparing your home, organizing your schedule, and creating a more enjoyable holiday season, listen to this week's episode of The Efficiency Advantage: “Organize NOW for More Relaxing Holidays LATER.”
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