Prioritizing Self Care with a Monthly Wishlist

A note from Rachael, Director of Teacher Success

Living in New England, I feel lucky to be able to experience all the seasons - and it is no secret that Summer is my hands down favorite. But, with many holidays around the corner, I've started a new tradition of creating a monthly wishlist (that's right, I'm renaming the old "to-do" list) of seasonal activities, treats, and ways to appreciate joy and creativity around and within me!

I'm certain I am not the only one who sometimes feels a sensory overload around this time of year. While I frequently opt (and love) to stay home cuddled under a blanket, I recently started a very small and simple curated monthly list of things that I love and don't want to miss out on.

My tips for a monthly wishlist:

• Keep your list accessible (I have mine on a note in my phone)
• Keep your list short (so that it feels attainable and creates joy, not overwhelm)
• Keep a balance of traditional and new activities (balancing feeling grounded and creative)
• Keep it simple (there's nothing better than crossing things off a list and feeling like you did something both simple AND wonderful for yourself)

A few things on my list this month:

• Bake Cranberry Cookie Bars - this has been a long standing favorite recipe since a fun family trip to visit the Ocean Spray cranberry bogs (about 35 years ago). I love to make these in the Winter and feel the comfort of great memories.

• Decorate my fireplace with a carefully selected holiday scene that we enjoy in my house while watching our favorite shows and holiday movies (cue Home Alone!) While the scene is usually similar each year, I started decorating early in November this year (because science says decorating early makes you feel happier). One specific item on my wishlist this year was adding a beautiful branchless light-up tree that is illuminating my house and helping to add so much warm light as I try to adjust to daylight savings time. I am surprised how something so simple has shifted my mood so drastically.

• Organize my holiday market calendar! One of my favorite things to do is visit all of the amazing local artists at the holiday markets around town, marvel at their creativity, support small businesses, and stock up on treats for my loved ones (and myself)! I often feel overwhelmed by remembering when and where they all are so this month is about creating a calendar and blocking off the dates, times, locations, and inviting friends along so that I can be sure not to miss out.

• Winter clean out! I am ALWAYS organizing and love a big Winter house clean up to remove clutter and bring clarity. Donating winter clothing items and passing along treasures to new homes brings me such joy while giving me an opportunity to connect with my neighbors and community that I wouldn't typically interact with otherwise. The shares and trades are always bustling this time of year. (I recently met a cousin who lives in my city through a Facebook donation post and it was such a delightful surprise.)

What small joys are you excited for this month that you can put into action by turning it into a wishlist item?