Dec 23, 2017
Hey there Katrina here , I am a Business Solutions Architect & Digital Project Manager Strategist/Consultant specialising in helping you to Package your Brilliance into Products, Programs, Business Models and sell them via Sales Funnels.
I am a mum to 2 beautiful boys and Christmas for me is a time to connect with my children and loved ones. A time to restore and prepare for the year ahead. Christmas also is a time when I have experienced heightened anxiety for covering gifts and essentials. I am also a Consulting freelancer and this has often been the time when invoices are delayed and when I beat myself up on what I can provide for my children. Christmas Holidays is a time when some experience Anxiety and Loneliness, in this article I want to discuss how you can make the best of this holiday period if you are an Freelance or Entrepreneur.
For the last 4 years no matter the circumstances I have decided that as soon as school is out for the holidays I would find fun activities to take part in, with my boys. I have also used Christmas as a time for helping other who are less advantaged, have no family or the elderly. I now use Christmas as a time to retreat and prepare myself for the year ahead.
I begin by reviewing the way speak to myself;
Instead of
I can’t do it this month…
I can only go so far…
No childcare
Why me..
I pattern interrupt and replace with thoughts such as …
How can I?
What can I learn from this?
What do I need to do?
Prayer and meditation (what is my next step, give me direction)
What if?
What not me ?
If they can
This is not for me now….
I deserve this!
I am so grateful for…
I am grateful for my extended circle because we share…
I can help others with…so I can validate
I create a plan of what I would like to achieve the year ahead and my current skills, reviewing what skills, tools and anything else I may need to get me there.
So now for me Christmas is a time where I begin by retreating to explore, plan and cover:
- Mind
- Body
- Self Development
- Planning for life, family, home and Business
- Free activities— Eventbrite, Craigslist
- Rest, restore and renew
- Areas where I can Take Action !
Monetise your skills
If money is a problem there are many website you can find to monetise your skills, knowledge and hobbies.
Financial review
Perhaps you are anxious because of money. Perhaps you can hold a boot or garage sale or sell the things you no longer need on eBay. Track your incomings and outgoings against your budget. Do you really need those subscriptions ? Christmas is the perfect time to shop around with vendors and review any current memberships and subscriptions you no longer use.
Exercise
Exercise is know to promote feelings of wellbeing and is great for keeping fit. Work out at home, your local gym or take a walk or jog in your local area.
Pamper yourself
Choose a day and time and give yourself a mini spa experience and commit to assigning a day each month to prioritise self care.
Consider a health check
I add the disclaimer that I am not a medically qualified professional, however anxiety may be an indicator of an underlying health issue, so you may need to see a medical professional.
Meet new people
Feeling lonely ? Want to make new friends? An introvert I find it hard to socialise with new groups at times. I set myself the challenge to network and meet new people. You never know where new connections may lead.
Assess what you have now
This has been a gamechanger for me, assessing what I can change right now, with the current resources available, allows me to be grateful for my current circumstances. This also provides me with insight for the goals I need to set, in order to progress.
‘Feel through your Anxiety’
I know this may sound a little bizarre, but for me I have found great solace in ‘working’ through the events which make me feel anxious. This is usually linked to fear of the unknown, expectations, unrealistic timelines and goals. Focusing on the solution, the way and what you can do to reduce anxiety.
‘Speak to someone’
Anxiety isolated tends to escalate, speak to your doctor, a friend or call an anonymous helpline, you are not alone in having anxious feelings. This is often a sign of enduring stressful situations or experiences for a prolonged time.
I hope this has been helpful, by using the combined methods in this article I now look forward to my Christmas Retreat, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.
Have a question? Sure you can connect with me via any of the links below!
