Every year the Christmas tree doesn’t tend to make it past the 27th of December in my house. December rolls around and the house is made to be lovely and Christmassy and I bask in the weeks of Joy and Chaos that is Christmas. I love it. As soon as it is done though I need to get everything away, rip the band-aid off and it is as though it never happened. Admittedly I feel stressed by the post-Christmas mess and I believe this fuels my desire to completely clear the house.
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| Almost naked tree |
This time the tree made it to New Year’s Day! This is unheard of in our home. I have certainly behaved differently this time. Each day since Christmas I have done little bits around the house in a bid to tidy up. New Year’s Day we had an at home tidy up day and I got some stuff done including taking down the tree. Instead of rushing, I just got it done calmly and dare I say, mindfully. As I did so, I felt a little sad that Christmas was over but sad in a good way if that makes sense. Sad it is over but a little hope and excitement as I remember we have next Christmas to look forward to.
I took a little time to recognise my feelings and then moved on once I had acknowledged this. It is very typical of me to avoid any feelings coming my way, to distract myself to not take stock of them. This always blows up in my face with a whole mish-mash of emotions bowling me over at once when I feel most vulnerable or run down. A bit like when you haven't done the washing for a week and the hamper is overflowing.
I bought myself a pack of Blom Cards and along with some help, I found a card that suited where I currently stand, to name my feelings. I felt as though recognising the feelings I had taking down the tree was a great putting into practice of what my card was all about. It is really the first time I took on the task of what was on the Blom Card. I decided to try and allow myself to recognise when I feel certain feelings as they organically occur. Rather than seek out moments to recognise my feelings, because I would be distracted into looking for feelings rather than getting on with my day. Although a seemingly insignificant a task, taking down the tree turned out to be a good exercise me, in my own way I understood how to identify, name my feelings, and let them go.
Happy New Year Guys!
Fi xx
