Hi friends!
I’m still in disbelief by how fast this month is passing by me. Let the Christmas countdown begin.
Today I feel like it’s officially acceptable to go all out in holiday cheer! It may or may not have to do with the fact that I finally made a Christmas recipe. Coming up soon!
Not only is the holiday season finally upon us, is seems to also be the season of stress. Lots of stress.
Instead of putting my focus into feeling stressed, I’m choosing to embrace the cheer and joy that surrounds me everyday!
* my version of perfect protein pancakes; made with oat bran instead of brown rice flour, topped with a little greek yogurt to spread plus un-pictured cashew butter *
There’s no doubt, that this time of year can be stressful. The past few Christmas’ have been incredibly hard for me. Not only was I so fearful of all the food, parties, alcohol (aka excess calories and weight gain); I was in a horrible place with my recovery and eating issues.
The disorder stole all the joy I used to feel around the holidays and I’m not willing to accept that. In the past, I was anything but cheerful.
When I began to look at the past I felt a little disappointed, but then I stopped myself. I’m not here to live in the past. Feeling this way will only feed my ego, it won’t make me feel better.
* Today was exceptionally chilly. Even though the sun was out, there was a slight nip in the air. It was the perfect holiday-esque morning where I was able to comfortably settle in on the couch, mug in hand, while wishing that big snowflakes would fall down as I looked out the window. *
I’m embracing the positives; I’m healthier than I’ve been in quite a long time. I’m proud of myself.
This year, I’m putting focus into gratitude. My heart is filled with happiness, there are blessing all around us each and everyday.
From my morning coffee to my bedtime tea, there are many little moments in life where beauty surrounds us.
Every morning this December, I’ve committed myself to light some candles, sip my coffee, grab a notebook and list 3 things I’m grateful for.
* I’ll always be grateful for coffee….always. And I’m embracing the fact that I’m a coffee addict *
Mornings are my favorite time to do this. It’s a fresh and peaceful start to the day, where I’m able to focus on how I want my day to look. Without letting any outside emotions from others make there way into my thoughts.
It sets the tone for how I will approach events and thoughts that may come my way throughout the day.
With Christmas around the corner, some people can get a little selfish (myself included). We may want a lot of things, but we should become aware and grateful of all the many blessings in our lives.
Being grateful and putting focus on all the things we have, instead of the little things we don’t, is a great gift we can give ourselves this year.
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Remember Rita’s incredible blog challenge I told you about on Tuesday?
Well, the coupon code is finally here and registration if officially open!
Click this link to receive a nice discount when registering! And have a blast with this program, it’s going to be great! Click here for more details on the challenge if you missed the post!
The coupon is good from December 12 – December 19, until 11:59 (Mountain Time).
Do you tend to get stressed this time of year?
What are your favorite holiday traditions?
Would you be willing to make a gratitude list each morning?
Have a beautiful Thursday!
About Lisa
I am so glad for you to be in such a healthy place today and you can be so proud!! Enjoy this season to the most!! Christmas used to be the most fearful and stressful time for me in the past. It still is on days, but I am in a much better place. I love the idea of doing a gratitude list each morning!
Thanks Lucie! I’m so happy you’re in a better place! I really recommend doing the gratitude list, if not everyday at least once a week!
This post made me smile SO big Lisa! It’s wonderful to hear you speak of your appreciation for being healthy both mentally and physically–it truly is a blessing!
“This year, I’m putting focus into gratitude. My heart is filled with happiness, there are blessing all around us each and everyday.”<–Love that! It can be so easy to forget about our blessings during all the hustle and bustle of the holidays; it's FABULOUS you're taking time to be thankful!
You are awesome! Exactly, sometimes throughout the season I forget just how blessed I am! It’s nice to slow down and appreciate everything!
I love the idea of a daily gratitude list. What a great way to truly appreciate every single day! I’ve struggled with holidays in the past too just because I was in such an unhealthy place but hopefully this year we will both be enjoying them in full!
Sometimes, I don’t manage everyday, but if I make a list once per week I’m happy just with that! Yes, let’s both enjoy the holidays!
ED’s and massive holidays do not go together well! I hate thinking back to how many holidays I’ve wasted being concerned about calories and trying to restrict. It’s so much better to just enjoy the season (and all the cookies that come with it)
Oh my gosh, I know. Years ago was just so awful. I feel so bad for what I put my family through during those times!
My ED has robbed me of being happy and care-free for 8 Christmases now. I am a little nervous that this Christmas will have some similar elements, but I am determined to enjoy it instead of stressing about gaining a few pounds!
I’m definitely a little nervous and I know it won’t all be super smooth sailing, but I’m determined to not let ED ruin another holiday celebration!
I don’t really get the holiday stress unless I’m in budget/saving/cheapskate mode. However, this year with moving across the country you could say the stress is creeping up
Haha. I could definitely see this year being a tad stressful. You’ll make it through though
It’s so worth the stress.
i am glad you feel like this year you are in a better place to enjoy the holidays!
Thanks Alex!
So proud of you!!!! The holiday’s are certainly a time for enjoying yourself and spending time with loved ones. I never really get stressed around the holidays, not sure why! I get more relaxed since I have no school and can just do what I want
That’s true. Having no school is pretty awesome actually haha. Maybe that takes away from the stress;)
Girl, you are speaking to me in through this WHOLE post! I’m with you from one coffee addict to another….I’m grateful for it each and every day! I’m sipping int now
What a great idea to light your candles as you list your gratitude! I feel a lot of people are loving to be grateful this season! Thank you!
xxoo
Yay, fellow coffee lovers:) Wish we could drink ours together! And how much am I loving your challenge this season, it is SO amazing! I need to participate! xox
I tend to get stressed, but I try to let it not effect me. I think I might o the blog challenge…I love Rita, she redid my blog too
She does such an amazing job! She is so knowledgable! I know I need to learn a lot more haha.
Writing down the things you’re grateful for is such a great way to start the day
I don’t usually write things down specifically, but I always try to take a few moments to appreciate the small things in life that make a big difference, especially on the days where I find myself in a funk. It’s definitely hard to be in a funk during this time of the year, though. I used to get incredibly stressed because of all the planning/food involved, but it’s gotten easier over the years. Now I just get stressed with trying to buy everyone the perfect gift at the last minute 
If I don’t write it down, I definitely do the same and just take a moment to appreciate. I sometimes like to write down a list though, so if I’m having a hard day I can actually look back at the list and it usually improves my mood a great bit! Haha, oh I’m with you on last minute shopping! Um, I still haven’t started!
YeeEESS, Christmas recipe coming our way * happydance*, I’m going to make it & I can not wait. Don’t even have to know a thing about it- if it’s a recipe, coming from YOU? Gonna love it
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Wow yeah I can so relate to being less-than-cheerful during past Christmases, & other holidays really. Everything, from the food , to changes in my normal routines, was enough to make me wish the whole holiday would just be over with already. Sad!!
But you’re right, there’s no point in dwelling on all that.
Just like most things in life, there will be maaany more opportunities ahead of us( yay!). We can try our best to focus on, & enjoy what’s important- celebrating, the coming together of family/friends, christmas tunes, prezzies of course:p…all that fun stuff.
P.s Love that last photo of you with all the red & blue accents going on. Awesome.
Xxx
Wahoo! I know, I started wishing the holiday was over and then had to stop myself from getting sad over a wonderful time of year! No more dwelling in that silliness. Thanks my friend!xo
Like I;ve mentioned before being present and gratious is something I have been working on with myself as I go through my yoga t training. It’s such a wonderful way to be. I just wish everyone would wake up daily and make a list of what they are grateful for. I think the world would have much nicer people in it for sure!
I can imagine yoga teacher training is so mind opening and cleansing! I’ve been getting more into the mindfulness that yoga practices, which is really surprising me! I totally believe people would be much nicer if they were aware of what they were grateful for as well!
Love that you make a gratitude list!! Such a beautiful attitude to life!
Thanks Jess!
Such a beautiful post Lisa. I’m so proud of you and inspired by you. What a great way to start each day!
Lots of love,
G
Thanks so much Gillian! Love you!