If you’re at all like me, you are equally excited and stressed about the quickly approaching Christmas season.

Excited because you love all things Christmas: family gatherings, parties with friends, Nativity scenes, kids programs, candlelight services, gifts with bows, holiday treats, lights, music, Nutcrackers, and of course, Jesus. So much fun!

Stressed because that much fun takes a toll on your emotional health, your schedule and your pocketbook.

So, how do we reign in the stress and find the time to truly enjoy this amazing season?

Here are my life tested, albeit underused, secrets to finding more time:

1. Do things intentionally. Consider how much time is spent mindlessly scrolling social media, thinking about the to-do list or mulling over unchangeable irritations; these are time wasters and time is our most valuable resource.
   • If you enjoy social media, plan a time and scroll on purpose. If you like to organize your schedule, pour yourself a cup of coffee and plan out what you’re going to do and when. Planning streamlines the activity, freeing up time later.
2. Declutter your home. Where you spend your time has an effect on how you feel. If you’re always looking for misplaced things or dodging the avalanche falling out of your closets and cupboards, a change is in order.
   • Start with one room…or closet…or cupboard…or even a drawer. You’ll feel better and you’ll actually free up future time when chores don’t take as long.
3. Reign in negative thought habits. Habitual negative thoughts, such as self-pity or dwelling on the past, take an emotional toll and leave you feeling drained. When we feel drained, we procrastinate which steals time later.
   • Get rid of mental clutter by focusing on healthier thoughts, for example, gratitude. What in your life are you thankful for?
4. Control your money. If you don’t control your money, your money will control you. When that happens, it takes up too much space in your life.
   • Make the decision to take charge of your finances, create a budget and stick to it. Once you do this, future financial decisions will be much simpler and, you won’t spend as much time and energy worrying about your money.
5. Limit toxic people. We all have that co-worker, friend or family member who seems to see only problems and never solutions. These people take up valuable time in your day so mitigate their negative influence.
   • Email your work questions instead of asking them in the break room. Drop by your friend’s house instead of meeting at a coffee shop. Invite that family member to an event or celebration with a larger group. All these things allow you to connect with others while limiting their control of your time.
   • I rarely believe that you need to cut people out of your life completely; however, it is important to set boundaries.

Life in the 21st Century is inevitably busy but, with a little planning and some work, we can find the time to do the things we truly enjoy.

Happy Christmas, friends!!