What to do when Real Life and 🩷 Real Life 🩷 Meet Face-to-Face

Because it happens every day.

PSA: A coffee break is a perfectly acceptable to-do list item. Photo by Antonio Tersigni on Unsplash

This is a short intro, because ~ ‘tis the season.

🧑🏻‍🎄🎁 The season of busyness. 🎄🍪

I feel it. You feel it. This is no newsflash, and I wouldn’t blame you if you stopped reading right here. (But please don’t, there’s a point.)

I mean, I equate “holiday busyness” with the craziness that happens when flights are grounded one day because of weather or whatever. Then the next day, airlines must somehow place displaced fliers on flights while managing an already crazy air schedule. (Have you ever wondered, how does that even all work out?)

What I’m saying is, we were busy before the holidays, but now, in addition to our mile-long to-do list, we’ve got to trim the tree, bake, shop, and make it to junior’s Christmas pageant by 7:00 p.m. sharp. Oh, and also come up with a white elephant gift for the company party tomorrow, and an appetizer for the family get-together.

It’s nuts!

Even so, I’d like you to consider something.

Maybe… being busy isn’t the worst thing in the world.

Theoretically, that is.

Because, as we know… being busy means we’re being productive - working hard, earning a living, spending time doing what we’re here on earth to do.

Being busy means we have people to see (friends, family, loved ones), which is a good thing.

No harm, no foul in any of that.

BUT.

The bone I have to pick with being busy is when it becomes capital B-Busy and creeps into everyday life, spreading its roots all over our brains like weeds popping up in a beautiful flower garden.

Soon after… capital B-Busy turns to stress, and before we know it, all we can focus on is that stress. 😩

And… when stress takes over, here’s what happens.

First, we might have some sort of meltdown (could be small or large or both).

Next, the important stuff - people, activities, and milestones - tends to fade into the background.

(✌️ out, 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒.)

Our to-do lists overshadow everything, and we not only feel totally stressed out, but also put life on hold so we can either wallow in our misery or toil away at the offending stressors. (We’re stuck slaving away at our desks while Alice, Tom, and Bill yuck it up at the company luncheon.)

Either option is no bueno.

When we’re doing that ~ letting stress seep into the essence of our human experiences ~ we recognize it, and consequently, feel even worse.

To make matters even worse, these situations tend to fall on days when all we want to do is put the business part of life on hold and tend to the real business… of life.

For example, today is December 4 ~ a significant, bittersweet day in my family. Five years ago today, my lovely mom passed. And on the anniversary of my mom’s passing, I always like to do something that will honor her. In a perfect world, I’d love to head to my sister’s and say, “Let’s bake Mom’s cut-out cookies today.”

But I know that even if I did do that, I wouldn’t be fully present, as I’d be thinking about the things I need to do. So instead, I’m going to compromise by spending the day doing things I absolutely need to get done… and then I’ll reach out to all my siblings, acknowledging the day. I’ll also try to do things that remind me of my mom… who was also a busy lady, but always managed to have time for those she loved. (A phone call, a nice note, visiting with neighbors…)

Simply lovely. ❤️

If you’re reading this and understand the dilemma of “real life” (to-do lists, responsibilities, etc.) intersecting with real life (the important things), I invite you to do the same.

Take care of the business of the day, but look for ways to let in the business of our lives.🩷

At the end of the day, you’ll feel better, sleep better, and go to bed knowing you may not have done everything, but you did the things that mattered.

And isn’t that what it’s all about? 🩷

I’ll leave you with that, and some fun wormholes to go down that might help you feel more organized, energized, and ready to face the busy days ahead.

Enjoy!

Abbey

In this week’s links lineup, you’ll find…

• gift ideas for everyone on your list (including you)

• tips for the travelers in the crowd

• delicious & healthy ideas for holidays and everyday life

• supplements & health tidbits

• a mix of random tips

• podcasts worth casting

To enjoy all the links (some are below the paywall), consider becoming a paid subscriber, and/or maybe cross someone off your list and let your favorite pal in on What I’d Rather Be Talking About with a gift subscription.

gift ideas

• This gadget made my head hurt, but man, it’s genius. And a great gift idea.

• Speaking of gifts, my favorite YouTuber, Valentina, will not disappoint with gift ideas like this under-$50 Ralph Lauren blanket and this gorgeous tray.

• There are gifts we love and gifts we need. Here are some that check both columns. (They’ll also help you sleep and feel less stressed.)

• Get cozy without breaking the bank. Buy one as a gift and one for yourself.

• If someone said, “I’m here to buy you a new coffee maker. What would you like?” I’d send them to this site.

ideas for the travelers in the crowd

• Frequent fliers will love this list of must-pack items that every traveler needs to know about.

• For the traveler on your gift list - gifts they’ll actually use.

• The list is out -