Taking care of one’s wellbeing is a vital part of a healthy life. Many strive to maintain the appearance of what is culturally expected. We see this striving especially during the holiday season. Women and men chase their idea of perfection.
It starts with the decorations. Then moves to the perfectly baked turkey with all the perfectly dressed trimmings. It progresses to being invited to or hosting “the” holiday event of the year. Planning and execution take time, money, and energy.
We must not forget the gifts. We are driven to purchase the perfect gift for family, friends, and colleagues. The WOW factor of opening the perfect gift leaves us feeling, well, “like wow.”
Unfortunately, the pursuit of success, prosperity and renown often results in overwhelming stress and dissatisfaction. The “wow” factor of the holidays passes like a puff of wind. After all the work, effort, and stress, we are left wanting.
You know how we rush through the holiday? We miss precious moments. It’s all about the preparation. Right? Planning, cooking, shopping, decorating, worrying, stressing, spending. The list goes on and on. We want you to have a satisfying holiday experience. One that will carry over into your daily life. A satisfying life comes not when we strive for success, as determined by the world around us, but when we treat ourselves and others with lovingkindness and compassion.
Lovingkindness and Compassion
Lovingkindness and compassion are key ingredients for a life of satisfaction. When we are satisfied, we take good care of ourselves. We expend energy on the valued aspects of our personal and professional lives.
Compassion encourages an open and friendly stance toward others as they struggle. Self-compassion enables us to embrace ourselves with kindness and caring as we struggle in life. Lovingkindness is also an active practice that expresses caring and well wishes towards others and oneself when there is no struggle.
“A satisfying life comes not when we strive for success, as determined by the world around us, but when we treat ourselves and others with lovingkindness, and compassion.”
This is what Get Through the Holidays is all about, being loving, kind and compassionate to yourself.
On October 31st, we kicked off our Get Through the Holidays (without losing it) Series with Tamara Dopwell the owner of Designs by Tee. Designs by Tee is a socially conscious product line that supports children and families in Brooklyn, New York. Ms. Dopwell currently works full-time as a school social worker. Prior to this, she worked as a medical social worker. As a medical social worker, she encountered families who lacked the money and resources to meet their needs. She started Designs by Tee to fill the gap.
Ms. Dopwell talked about her business venture and shared her best stress management hack. She shared several hacks specifically for entrepreneurs. Her hacks also apply to overworked and overstressed women and entrepreneurs. The following hacks lower your stress levels and keep them low.
Ms. Dopwell’s Stress Hacks
Planning – take time to plan your day and activities. A little planning will save you time, money, and effort. Think of planning like a roadmap that will get you to your destination with few headaches.
Say “no” – it is okay to say “no.” There are many ways to say “no” without feeling guilty. When you are honest with yourself and others, your stress level will decrease.
Balance – take time for yourself. Spend quality time nurturing your personal desires and needs.
Delegate – you can’t do everything. Give tasks to experts and let them take you to the next level.
Go to M.L. Bailey Consultants on YouTube to watch the entire video with Ms. Dopwell. Get Through the Holidays is our forever gift to you to take you from overstressed to satisfied. Join M.L. Bailey Consultants and our special guests every Sunday at 4pm on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.
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