Ritual to defeat holiday overwhelm

Seems counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? Adding a spell to your already over-flowing to-do list at the end of the year. But here’s the thing: self-care is important. Crucial. And you need to make time for it. We serve others better when our cups are full.

You’ll need:

• A good location. Out in nature is always best, but the comfiest seat in the house is also a win.
• The printable on the right, or one of your own.
  Note that it’s quite small – that’s deliberate.
• Pencils, pens or crayons in calming colours. I’d recommend blues and greens.

If you want to go bigger:

• An oil burner with your favourite calming scent. You can’t go wrong with lavender, but I don’t vibe with it so I’ll be using sandalwood. (If you don’t have an oil burner you can put a few drops on a cloth or tissue and clip it to the front of your fan)
• Candles!
• Wear/hold a calming crystal such as celestine, black onyx, smoky or rose quartz.
• Soft music

The ritual:

Have a shower or at the very least, wash your hands. As you do so, imagine you are washing the whole day off. All people’s expectations of you. The jangled stressors. All the fucks you’ve been giving about how fattening festive food is can go too. Scrub it all off.

You don’t need a circle but if you want one, no bastard’s going to stop you.

Set yourself up for a meditative colouring session then say:

Unless the rush is giving me a rush
Unless the sparkle is powering my shine
Unless making magic is filling me with wonder,
I decline. I decline. I decline.

This time is mine.

Practice your deep-breathing while you colour and remember that people love you for you, not for what you do for them, and that the important things about the holiday season aren’t found in materialism and perfection – they’re found in connection. In sharing. In love as a verb, not a noun. Extend that love and compassion and connection to yourself and the wonderful body that is carrying you through your chaotic life.

When you’re done your mini masterpiece, you might like to flip it over and write the incantation from above onto the back, or make your own affirmation. May peace be upon you xx