Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Tips to Bust through Holiday Stress and Keep Writing



Look around you. The holiday season is already in full swing. There are gifts to buy, a house to decorate, guests to entertain, and a family to make memories with. Oh, and you still have to find time to dedicate to your writing career. Impossible? Not if you plan it right. Here are tips from time management experts.

Plan Ahead

Dr. Donald Wetmore, President of the Productivity Institute, says we know the holidays add more to our plate than just the regular routines. Plan ahead and schedule tasks and events with greater care. Then things get accomplished sooner, rather than later, and at a pace you can handle.

Delegate

With the holidays, it’s easy to try and do too much yourself. Wetmore suggests you decide which is more important to you, “do it” or “it gets done.” Even without a writing career to nurture, there isn’t enough time do everything. Admit you need help and seek out a few of Santa’s elves — also known as your spouse and/or children — to help with the cleaning, shopping, and decorating.

Get Enough Sleep

It’s tempting to wake up before the kids each morning and then put in a few hours after they’ve gone to bed each night, but when you burn the candles at both ends you are less productive and become more irritable. It's important to get the sleep you need. Just think of how much more creative you’ll be with a full night’s rest.

Keep it Simple

This isn’t the last holiday season you and your family will experience, so don’t feel like you have to do it all. Here are a few tips that Susie Michelle Cortright, Founder and Publisher of Momscape, and freelance writer Marlene Biondo had to offer their readers:

  • Narrow down your Christmas card list
  • Take advantage of free gift wrapping services
  • Choose one gift theme for everyone on your list
  • Limit parties or consider having a pre-holiday or post-holiday get together

What is one of my favorite tips? Make suppertime less complicated around the holidays by preparing casseroles or slow cooker meals. Leftovers help to make the next day's lunch easier, too. Less time in the kitchen can also mean more writing time.

The holidays should be a joyful and fun-filled time spent with family and friends. With careful planning, you can experience all the peace of the season and keep writing, too.



Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of four children’s books including, A Christmas Kindness, released by 4RV Publishing. A blogger and book reviewer, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two daughters. She also has a son who is married. Visit Cheryl online at http://ccmalandrinos.com and her children’s book blog at https://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com

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