Someone far wiser than I once said the key to happiness is to simplify your life.
Or some such thing, anyway. They’re wiser and have a better memory than I, whoever they are.
But at this time of year, we could all use a little simplicity.
Now, I’m not talking about taking down your Christmas decorations or cutting back on your gift-giving list.
I’m talking a little simplicity in how we view things.
‘Tis the season for love. Yes, Christmas far more than Valentine’s Day.
Love.
Not fighting.
Especially not fighting over silly things that don’t even matter to you.
We can all celebrate the holidays in different ways (and celebrate different holidays).
It’s okay to have your own strong opinion on how your family should celebrate. And in fact, most of us do. The holidays are surrounded by tradition for so many of us.
How many presents will be under your tree, whether your kids believe in Santa, where and with whom you spend the holidays, whether there’s currently an Elf on the Shelf in your house somewhere, and the list goes on.
I’ve even shared my opinion on some of these in the past. (I put a lot of thought into why there’s no elf on our shelf, for instance, even if I thoroughly enjoy watching others’ elf antics on instagram.)
But, that was my opinion, and never something I was trying to pass as a decree that everyone else has to follow. It’s okay to have your own opinion, as long as you realize your opinion is yours and someone else’s is theirs and none of it means we need to debate who’s right or wrong. In matters like this, there isn’t really a right or wrong.
No one’s way of celebrating the holidays is ruining your Christmas.
Here’s where it comes back to simplifying.
Turn off all the noise of what you should do, what others are doing, what you shouldn’t do… and just turn your focus on to showing love to your family and friends.
Whatever that looks like for you and yours, whatever feels like the right way to celebrate, do that. Not because you feel like you have to or because you’re trying to keep up with whoever you feel in competition with, but because it’s your way of spreading Christmas joy and love.
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