We could easily change the words to a popular Christmas song and for many it would be a more truthful description of the holiday season. I know I can get overwhelmed by all the preparations: cards, gifts, baking, decorating, and multiple trips to stand in line at the post office or the grocery baking aisle. Fighting for a parking space at the mall! Every year I tell myself I’m going to worry less, do less, sit back and enjoy more. Every year I fail; except for this year. There are a number of reasons for this.

First, I retired from my day job the end of August. This means no more commute times, no more long hours in a busy-at-the-end-of-the-year real estate office. I couldn’t have done half of what I did this year if I still had that on my plate. Not only would I have had less time to squeeze it all in, but the time I would have wouldn’t be very productive if I was stressing out…or just plain too tired. And to keep the Christmas spirit going while I went about my preparations, I turned on Christmas music or one of the wonderful Hallmark Christmas romance movies.

Second, I gave myself permission not to worry about my writing until after Christmas (except for this blog). Do I feel guilty about this? Sometimes. Do I miss it? Absolutely. But it’s about setting priorities. Christmas only comes once a year and stepping back a little to enjoy it doesn’t only make me happy, but it makes my family happy. Isn’t that part of what being a wife/mother/daughter is about? It is for me. I expect I’ll be able to return to my novel after Christmas with a renewed energy and no regrets over what I just gave up.

Whatever you choose to do in celebration of the season, I ask that you do it with joy in your heart and no regrets.

A very happy holiday to all my friends in the blogosphere!