Embracing the Holiday Spirit: Why Taking Breaks is Essential for Stay-at-Home Parents

As we approach the holiday season, the air is filled with excitement, celebration, and, let’s be honest, a fair amount of stress. For stay-at-home parents who are juggling household responsibilities while building side hustles, this time of year can often feel overwhelming. Amid the flurry of festivities, gift shopping, and festive cooking, it’s crucial to step back and prioritize your well-being. This Thanksgiving, let’s talk about the importance of taking breaks to prevent burnout and the role of planning in achieving a healthy balance.

The Holiday Hustle: A Double-Edged Sword

The holidays can evoke joy, but they can also be a source of stress, especially for dedicated stay-at-home parents. The challenge lies in balancing the myriad of responsibilities: planning family gatherings, preparing meals, and keeping everything running smoothly at home—all while pursuing personal side projects. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to get pulled into the whirlwind of tasks, leaving little room for self-care. Schedule multiple breaks for yourself during the day. Prioritize your tasks by urgency for a clear plan of action. Schedule blocks of work and rest, and stick to them. Your rest time during this hectic whirlwind of a season should be as sacred as your family traditions.

Why Taking Breaks Matters

1. Rejuvenation: Just as our phones need recharging, we too need moments to recharge. Taking breaks during the holidays gives you the opportunity to step away from daily duties, reflect on your achievements, and restore your energy. Oftentimes, we become so enveloped in the perfection we create in our minds that we don't realize how much of a mental and physical toll it is taking. Scheduling a time every night to rest, relax, and recharge yourself can mean all the difference between looking haggard or bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

2. Boosted Creativity: The creative spark that fuels your side hustle can dim under stress. Time away from your regular activities allows your mind to wander and makes space for new ideas to flourish. You may find that a brief hiatus gives you the clarity you need to approach your projects with renewed purpose. Stepping away from a project and returning with fresh eyes can cast a light that you hadn't noticed before because new ideas are allowed to blossom. Be inspired in the quiet moments and take action when you return to your chaotic reality (because any moment of silence in a household with kids is suspicious... maybe go check on them first).

3. Setting an Example: By prioritizing self-care, you model healthy habits for your children. Demonstrating the importance of breaks encourages them to understand that taking time for oneself is not just beneficial but necessary. Kids model the behaviors they are taught so teach them the importance of stepping back before they become overwhelmed, a necessary skill for anyone in the workforce.

4. Preventing Burnout: The holiday season can serve as a double-edged sword—while it brings joy, it can also lead to burnout if we don’t pace ourselves. I read a quote today that said if you cook a chicken at 900 degrees F in one hour, it will burn, but that same chicken slow roasted at 300 degrees F for 3 hours turns into a masterpiece. Don't settle for quick wins; as an entrepreneur, we're in the business of slow roasting. Don't burn the chicken. Recognizing when you need a break can be the difference between a joyful holiday and a stressful one.

Planning Ahead: Your Holiday Game Plan

While it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle, planning ahead can significantly reduce holiday stress. You don't need to calculate every second of the day; having a solid game plan can be the difference between bliss or burnout.

1. Create a Schedule: Outline your holiday activities, including shopping, baking, and family gatherings. Be realistic about how much time each will take, and don’t hesitate to block out time for breaks in between tasks. It is crazy how quickly the holiday season passes by even though in the midst of it, it feels like forever. Plan those outings, plan your work, and plan that family time. Future you will be so thankful that you didn't spend all that time stressing over what you didn't accomplish and instead be grateful for all you've managed to fit in during such a relatively short amount of time.

2. Set Boundaries: Negotiate the obligations you take on during the holidays. It’s okay to say no to some events or to delegate responsibilities among family members to lighten your load. An invitation to that potluck party with people you don't get along with? Skip it. If it doesn't align with your schedule, allow yourself permission to decline. Setting healthy boundaries for where you dedicate your time is how we feel like we have "more time in the day". Its not because time magically appears, its because we value the time we do have and have learned to prioritize where it is best spent.

3. Prioritize Self-Care: Carve out time for yourself amidst the holiday chaos. Whether it’s scheduling a mini retreat with a book and a cup of tea or taking a peaceful walk, these small moments can recharge your spirit and enhance your focus. Remember, pampering yourself doesn't need to be extravagant. It doesn't need to be an hour-long facial at the spa, it can be a 10-minute skincare routine at your bathroom sink with some lit candles for ambiance. No time to book a girls' weekend? Catch up during a quick dinner date. If sitting down to read a book for an hour gives you stress because you have a million house chores to do, opt for an audiobook while you tackle some of the mindless tasks around the house. Can't find the time to take a yoga class? Turn on YouTube and roll out your mat. Finding peace (even if its only for a few moments) is what will ultimately make YOU happy and that, my friends, IS the purest definition of self-care.

4. Incorporate Family Time: Plan for activities that promote relaxation and connection, like a game night or a movie marathon. These shared experiences can help everyone unwind while also creating lasting memories. Take those trips to the Holiday markets or drive around to see the lights in the neighborhood. We only get about 6 weeks during the holiday season. Do not let time pass by without spending it with those you love. Deadlines will always be there, but their childhood will not. Make the memories. Work will still be there when you get back.

As we gather with loved ones, reflect on the year’s accomplishments, and give thanks for our blessings this Thanksgiving, let’s remember to prioritize our mental and emotional well-being. Embrace the spirit of the season with joy, and don’t forget to pause when needed.

From my family to yours, I wish you a joyful and stress-free Thanksgiving! May your holidays be filled with love, laughter, and much-needed rest. Take care of yourselves, and here’s to a happy, healthy, and successful new year ahead!

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂🦃✨

With love,

Jessica Murphy

Your Side Hustle Coach and Stay At Home Parent Advocate