Yes, there’s all the preparation in terms of logistics and buying stuff. (Just remember, no one needs perfection).
But there is an underrated element of preparation: 𝘩𝘰𝘸 do you want to show up?
In other words, what kind of person do you want to be?
This is an especially useful question for when we are thrust into unfamiliar situations with unfamiliar people and for some, unfamiliar drinks.
💡 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀
It’s a cliché, but being present really is a gift to those around you.
Maybe checking your phone at a party or filming your child unwrap a present is OK.
But there’s a hidden cost, in that we start to fray the precious threads of connection.
And ultimately, these threads of connection are what really matter.
🌡️ 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻
Very few people can go straight from a busy work period to feeling relaxed.
So try scheduling a day or two of warm down activities:
1. Look back – for example on my last day of work I journal some of the key highlights from the year. Over time this will create a sense of meaning and satisfaction.
2. Look forward – make a plan for that first week back in January to make it easier. This will give you a sense of control.
🔋 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆
Most of you will have had a really long, hard year. Remember on that basis it is 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘣 to recover. This goes beyond permission – it is about professional duty.
Finally recovery doesn’t have to be relaxing, or perfect. It just has to be 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵.
In my case this will involve the Christmas Day children’s shopping trolley race, where I pretend the children are presents which have not yet been delivered.
🎯 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻