45 things to help brighten your sparkle over the festive season…

This time of year can leave you feeling a little bit “dulled”, even when everything else is extra sparkly. For years I have found the festive season to be one of the loneliest times, even though it’s probably the time I’m around the most people. I think the pressure of everything being so cheery can often send you the opposite way, and it can remind you of people who aren’t with you this year, be full of parties you wish you were (or weren’t) at, the struggles of IBS and intolerances with so much socialising and pressures that come with a new year. Sorry, kind of just listed off a load of negatives there, which totally defeats the point of this blog, so this is for anyone who needs it right now…

1. Elasticated waistbands or smock dresses are the only way to survive this season
2. The best gifts aren’t the most expensive, they’re the most thoughtful
3. Nobody else is thinking about what you just said in the conversation you’ve now replayed in your head thirty five times. They weren’t even thinking about you, they were thinking about themselves
4. No, you do not need to “start the diet in January”. But you can have your fourth helping of roast potatoes anyway
5. Never ever apologise for the glitter-trail you leave from your Christmas-party dress
6. Breaking open the second tub of chocolates is absolutely okay
7. If you want to go to the party, go. If you don’t, don’t
8. Most people aren’t having as much fun as it seems on social media. They’re probably feeling very similar to you are now
9. My Fitness Pal is the devil. Unless you are training to be a body builder
10. Yes, you do need that 2020 planner that has extra room for all the lists that will keep your anxious little brain sane next year
11. And definitely get the matching pen, even if you will lose it after a week
12. Guilt should not be a prominent emotion in your life. Guilt is a waste of time
13. If someone on social media is making you feel anything but good, un-follow them right now. Or at least mute until you’re in a better place
14. In pretty much anything you are going through or are feeling right now, you are not alone
15. Watching elf fifty times on repeat is absolutely acceptable. So is putting maple syrup on spaghetti
16. My dad goes for a curry on Christmas day. Can you even imagine Christmas without gravy?!
17. Low FODMAP gravy does exists – it involves a lot of red wine, gluten free flour, juices from the meats and some other stuff I can’t remember
18. Go into settings – password & accounts – choose your work email – swipe to turn off. Nobody cares whether Janice hasn’t received the timings for the off-site next February, it’s Christmas
19. Only having one portion of roast will not make you happier. Unless you’ve eaten to the point of feeling sick; leave it and come back later
20. Secret Santa is the best, but also worst idea ever
21. Nobody is looking at your bloated tummy. And if they are, it is definitely in a “oh hun, me too” kinda way
22. A group of bunnies is called a “fluffle”
23. A group of flamingos is called a “flamboyance”
24. Invite the girls over for a night in; they’re probably sick of Christmas parties too
25. It’s okay to cry. Crying actually releases toxins and lowers blood pressure
26. Anything tastes good in a sandwich. Especially if it’s paired with brie and cranberry sauce
27. Whatever you do, do NOT go to the boxing day sales. Browse online with maximum filters in the safety of your own home
28. It’s okay to hate baths. They stress me the hell out. Listen to a podcast instead
29. If probiotics aren’t already your best friends, I would recommend making friends
30. Go for a walk. Unless it’s raining, then stay inside wrapped up in your duvet
31. Book a boiler service
32. Imagine showing an iPhone to eight year-old you whilst laughing at the mini-disk player on the side; you would literally FREAK!!
33. Sitting in your PJs and eating spasta on NYE is absolutely okay
34. If anything, it’s a million times more okay than spending the night 20 people deep in a bar you’ll pay £15 for a G&T for
35. If the Christmas tree makes you feel happy, 2020 won’t be cursed for you if you keep it up for an extra few days
36. If Winnie the Pooh wore a crop top, you can too
37. Bryony Gordon’s podcast is one of the best things I’ve listened to all year
38. I’m only a few chapters into her book but it’s also pretty spectacular
39. Pull the TV up really close to the sofa and provide yourself with a large array of snacks
40. Going back to work won’t be 10% as bad as you think. And don’t worry, nobody else knows that either until they get there
41. You really don’t need to set yourself a New Years Resolution
42. If you do decide to make them; absolutely do not make them about carb reduction or counting macros
43. No matter how many pigs in blankets you eat, you will not turn into a pig in a blanket (even if that does sound really rather appealing)
44. Keep being you. Keep doing you. You’ll do it better than anyone else can and you are absolutely enough
45. If anyone makes you feel otherwise then they shouldn’t be taking up any worthwhile space in your life

I hope this made you smile, and let me know in the comments below which ones were your favourites!

Lottie x