Intentions for the holiday season

I love to bake and every holiday season I usually make dozens and dozens of cookies and pies for my family and friends as gifts. And although I love to bake, I’m usually thoroughly exhausted after this baking frenzy. The story I’ve told myself in the past is that it all “has” to be done within a few days or I’m doing it “wrong.” That I’m “failing” baking for friends and family if I don’t get it done by a certain time. So, I’ve often rushed to get it done and seen it as a task - not as something that brings me joy and fun for myself. (If you guessed I’m a recovering perfectionist and people-pleaser, ring a bell! ;)

This year I’ve changed it up, and the main change has to do with the intention of going slow. The intention to bake only one thing a day, not several things over hours and hours. The intention to be fully present as I’m mixing ingredients, shaping the dough, smelling the flour, sugar, vanilla and chocolate, and cleaning up as the goodies bake in the oven. The intention to rest afterwards and celebrate what I’ve done. The intention to believe that I am enough no matter how much I bake and that my friends and family will be be thrilled with whatever I choose to share. That I am not selfish for taking care of myself. Taking small, slow, intentional steps that work for me.

These set intentions have caused me to look at this holiday season in a different way. I can choose intentionally to slow down and be present in a way that works for me. And in doing so, savor the big and small moments. Slowing down and resting with self-compassion allows me to look around and choose.

If there’s something you enjoy doing over the holidays, but also feel like it’s a lot, what stories are you telling yourself about it? How can you intentionally and slowly break it down so you feel less rushed or less pressure? What can you choose for yourself this holiday season?