By Shirley Yanez
Are you dreading the thought of Christmas with the relatives, watching another dose of Coronation Street, or facing months of financial stress in order to pay for gifts your family may or ay not like? If this sounds like you, then it’s time to leave behind your woes and do something new!
The current economic climate in the UK has led to many people loosing their jobs, resulting in families having to scrimp and save every penny in order to get by. With December 25 just around the corner, waves of anxiety have spread across the country, leaving a lot of people wondering how they will manage to survive.
When it comes to beating the blues of January debt and depression, don’t make the mistake of listening to everyone else. Think only about what you can truly afford to spend. If you’re in debt and still paying off last years credit card bill, then the truth is your Christmas budget for 2012 is zero. But before you feel inadequate and like a failure, start thinking in a new way.
Ask yourself this question – what does Christmas really mean to me? Actually listen and take notice of your honest response. If you are dreading family feuds, financial worry, weight gain, lack of sleep and over crowded shopping malls, don’t do what you do every year, instead try and find something new to do. Think less about what you want and more about what you have already got.
For some people, it’s not really about financial worry and more about feeling happy. Remember, happiness cannot be bought
in any store. Despite what any marketing campaign will have you believe, children, given the choice, would choose you over a toy any time.
TEN WAYS TO HAVE A HAPPIER CHRISTMAS
1. Tell friends and family you are doing something new this Christmas and will not be around for traditional festivities.
2.Lend a hand to the local homeless shelter by volunteering to feed those less fortunate.
3. Go for a long winter ramble or bike ride and enjoy the fresh air and natural beauty.
4. Do a house swap with another like-minded family and enjoy their collection of books, games and movies.
5. Get your creative juices flowing and write a musical to perform at a local old people’s home.
6. Spend the day offering your time to visit lonely neighbours and elderly relatives who live alone.
7. Rearrange your house and have a good clear out and sell any unwanted items on one of the internet shopping sites, at a car boot sale, or have a garage sale of your own.
8. Relax, unwind, rejoice and remember time with your children is precious.
9. On Christmas Eve swap all your old DVDs with friends and neighbours, then spend Christmas day watching movies and eating popcorn.
10. Spend the holiday planning your dreams and hopes for the New Year ahead, thinking about how you can make them come true.
About ShirleyShirley Yanez is a life coach specialising in status anxiety and budget lifestyle. She gives people advice on how to get their lives back on track, whether they are concerned about losing weight, giving up smoking, healing the past, inspiring the future and handling debt, or dealing with relationship and career problems. Born and raised in Leicester, she is eager to help other individuals get the most out of their life.
