Funny thing: I had scheduled today’s blog post to be a pre-holiday season “Heart to Heart” conversation. I wanted to check in on you and see how you were doing. Turns out, today started out as one of those days when things are less than perfect. Like way less. Frustrated. Sad. Hopeful. Prayerful. Leaning away from stress and leaning in closer to God.

So how are YOU?

Let’s go through this pre-holiday season heart to heart today. If you’re like me, you’ll forget about it tomorrow if you don’t do it today!! Lol! And I want us both to make the time to take care for ourselves. That way, we can be fully present and enjoy the upcoming holiday season with the ones we love. <3 It’s all part of our journey on the 101 Days till Christmas countdown!

Your Pre-Holiday Season Heart to Heart

1. How was your morning?

If it was groggy, stressed and rushed, let’s re-evaluate.

I don’t want you to stress out about overhauling everything and then not doing anything (which I tend to do!)

Pick 1 or 2 things from the list below that are doable to help you have a better morning tomorrow!

Better mornings will help you be a more rested, happier mom as you head into the holidays!

Morning Help!

1. Pick out clothes the night before

2. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier

3. Read before bed

4. Meditate before bed (I love the Abide app!)

5. Have a glass of water when you first wake up. I’m surprised at how much that helps!

2. How are you feeling physically?

You know those aches and pains could be because we didn’t sleep well (see point #1!) But if you really haven’t been feeling great, and since this is a heart to heart, can I encourage you to schedule a doctor’s appointment? We hear t all the time about how busy moms don’t take care of themselves. Let’s change that! I want you to be healthy and happy as we head into the holiday season!

3. How are you feeling emotionally?

This one could be a little tougher. I can be a moody little ball of emotions sometimes! LOL! And I also tend to “stuff” and “avoid conflict” which leads to a lot of emotional build up. Then, we can’t figure out why we’re so stressed!

Let’s do one thing today to help us process anything that’s getting stuffed or bottled up emotionally. If it’s writing in a journal, go for it. If it’s calling a friend or scheduling a counseling appointment, let’s do it today!

4. How are you feeling spiritually?

If you don’t consider yourself a spiritual person, you can skip this one. But if you do, how are you feeling spiritually? Are you excited and “on fire for God?” Or are you going thru a difficult, doubt-filled desert? I have found that during the tough times, it makes a huge difference to be surrounded by people who can pray for you and encourage you. Can I encourage you during this “heart to heart,” to reach out? It could be friends at a church, someone you message online or joining a small group. In the fall a lot of churches start new ones! That could make a difference in your life, to build up a strong community around you. Especially as we head into the holidays, it can fill you up in a good way, to have people around you to share the burdens … and double up on the JOY!

5. How’s your family?

Our family is still “recovering” from our BIG move from Texas to Florida. We are recovering financially, getting used to new schools, jobs, etc… Trying to meet new people and make new friends. It’s been an interesting season. But I’m thankful that we are doing ok. And we’ve instituted “family check ins’ where we ask how is everyone doing? It’s ok to be frustrated, sad, upset, happy, excited, etc! As long as we can talk it through, we’re ok!

Today, feel free to ask your family how are THEY doing? If we can share what we’re struggling with, chances are someone else in our own home can relate and offer support. And if not, it’s always a good idea to ask others for help.

6.How are your finances (BIG potential source of stress)

If you’ve ever been through a financially difficult time, you know money can equal stress with a capital S. The GREAT news is that if our finances are not great right now, we can do something about it! We can look for a side hustle job (there are SO many companies hiring seasonal employees!) There might be garage sales in your community that you could be a part of. You could try to sell things online and lower down debt. You can do this! Pinpoint the issue and brainstorm ways to solve it!

And if you could use some financial help & encouragement, try free online resources like Dave Ramsey, Crown and Mint (a few of my personal favorites!)

7. How can I pray for you?

Let me know! Sometimes, having a heart to heart with a friend can be such a relief. Feel free to comment below and let me know how I can pray for you! I’m a Christian, and I heard in church yesterday that one of the things the enemy uses to attack us is “isolation.” You are not the only one going thru whatever it is. And you are not alone!

Seriously, let me know how I can pray for you in the comments below. I know prayer makes a difference!

To wrap up our Pre-Holiday “heart to heart” conversation …

I hope this little “heart to heart” helped you take a close look at what’s going on in your life and at home.

Speaking from experience, sometimes we already have the solution to our situation in front of us. But we fail to see it because we don’t stop running around with our crazy busy lives long enough to see it.

This week, before we get any closer to the holiday season, let’s stop. Breathe. Focus. And look up!

As a Christian, I can tell you, God sees what we’re going through. He cares. And we can bring to Him ALL of what we find inside of us with this heart to heart conversation.

He can heal it, fix it and restore it … no matter what it is!

Love you, friend!

Laughing thru life,

Coppelia