In a time of fresh starts, new beginnings and resolutions to be made, I’m feeling a little lost. I spent the last two weeks on “holidays” running around like a mad woman, picking up and preparing food for Christmas day, organising costumes for various events or recovering from those days.
When I did sit down to relax I felt guilty, like I should be organising something or socialising with someone I haven’t seen for a few days. I honestly couldn’t switch off, but at the same time got bored very easily.
I think I’ve been so used to be horrendously busy, that when the time came to wind down my mind flipped the hell out. Enter moodiness, feeling fidgety and over-eating. Also, a lot of “taking it out on the ones you love”.
Now, back at work I’m sitting here wondering why I didn’t take advantage of those days off. I did enjoy myself, don’t get me wrong, and this was the most wonderful Christmas with my beautiful family. I think I’m just regretting some of the grumpy days. Anyway, following on from last year’s lessons, here are mine for 2016:
- Whenever you’re on holiday but you don’t actually go on a holiday, book yourself a massage! Budget for it in your Christmas spending and let it be your present to yourself.
- Similarly, write a list of things you’d like to do so that when you get bored you have something to inspire you.
- Let yourself binge on Netflix shows, it’s okay to be lazy sometimes. Especially on 40 degree days where an air conditioned lounge room is the only place to be.
- Find friends with pools. They should be your best friends. I failed on this one, miserably.
- Find new outdoor activities to try out; stand up paddle boarding is actually pretty awesome.
- Keep up your current hobbies, but if yours is mountain biking please make sure you wear knee pads. If you think you don’t look “cool” in them, come and check out my knee. I’m not cool anymore.
- Get in the kitchen and create! Whether it’s cooking a “sorry for being so drunk and annoying last night” dinner for your boyfriend or a batch of cupcakes to palm off to the in laws – get creative!
- Cut your hair, change up the style or dye it a bright colour. Holidays are the best time to freak out over a huge change.
- Go nuts on the fruit mince pies, Christmas ham, boozy trifle and stuffed turkey. These treats come around but once a year, and what’s a new year without a truckload of guilt?
- Make sure you have a new mug to take to work, it’s the one thing that will brighten your day. (Thank you Brianna!)
In addition, I’d like to give a shout out to one pretty awesome dude.
I’m sorry I’m so grumpy and you have to put up with my bad moods, but I do bake you cupcakes, so I hope that makes up for it a little?
You were the best part of my 2015, and I know you’ll be my 2016 highlight.
Happiest of years to you all!
Hanbel.
x
The World of Hanbel 