I love Christmas because I get so much joy from giving to others. Don’t get me wrong, it feels nice to receive too. But my true joy comes from picking out the perfect gift and watching a loved one open it. Nothing beats that moment.
I know I am not the only one that feels this way. As a matter of fact, some of us love giving to others so much, we fail to give anything to ourselves, and we even have a hard time receiving. But in the true spirit of creating a season filled with joy for all, I encourage you to do things differently this year. Make this the year you finally decide to give a few gifts to yourself.
The joy of giving to others is a beautiful thing, but you should also get the same joy when you give something to yourself. Especially if giving to yourself actually allows you to be a bigger blessing to others.
You may be thinking, isn’t it selfish to use the holiday season to give to myself? Maybe some people will think that, but I think it’s selfish to not take some time to give to yourself. The joy of giving to others is a beautiful thing, but you should also get the same joy when you give something to yourself. Especially if giving to yourself actually allows you to be a bigger blessing to others.
By giving yourself a few gifts (that actually don’t cost a thing) you are sure to spend the season feeling more joyful than ever. And do you know what all that joy does for you? It makes you a joy to be around, ultimately improving the quality of your life and all your most valued relationships. Yep, giving to yourself makes life so much better.
So here are a few gifts I think you should consider giving to yourself this Christmas. They don’t cost a thing and the impact on every area of your life will be immeasurable. Merry Christmas!
Forgiveness. When you forgive, it’s not about the person that did you wrong. It’s about accepting that you cannot change how things unfolded and letting go of the resentment you hold. Forgiving someone (or yourself) doesn’t mean you approve of what happened. It means that you choose to stop hurting from it and you want to move on with your life. Forgiveness frees you from a horrible burden and gives you permission to find joy once again.
Solitude. Even if you are a social being, nothing beats the inner peace that comes from making the time to be still and alone. Solitude gives you a chance to meditate and connect with God. It’s also an opportunity to connect with yourself, identify your personal dreams, and begin living your best life. We all need a bit of solitude in our lives.
A Break. Tired of being everything to everyone? Than stop. Take a break. Kick your feet up and relax. You can’t keep doing everything every day and then act surprised when you begin to fall apart. No matter how strong you are, you are human. Human beings need time to rest and reenergize. Give your body and mind what they need.
Healthy Habits. Sleeping for hours, skipping breakfast, eating unhealthy foods because you are busy—these are all habits that will take a toll over time. The best possible gift you can give yourself is developing healthier habits. Don’t set unrealistic goals that will leave you feeling discouraged. Instead, just take baby steps. Exercise for 15 minutes a day, add one smoothie to your diet each day, or make time to stretch at night. These small changes can make a big difference in your life and what you are able to do with it.
Saying No. Saying yes often just feels like the nice thing to do. The problem is, the more you say yes to others, the less you say yes to yourself. Say no sometimes. It really is the gift that keeps on giving. No need to be mean about it, but if adding something else to your plate will leave you feeling stressed out and overextended, just say “no, thanks,” and keep it moving. People that know your heart will understand, and those who are offended will be just fine.
Wishing you a holiday season that leaves you feeling joyful, energized, and at peace.
BMWK family, what are you giving yourself this Holiday Season?