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…
Elasticated waistbands or smock dresses are the only way to survive this season
The best gifts aren’t the most expensive, they’re the most thoughtful
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
No, you do not need to “start the diet in January”. But you can have your fourth helping of roast potatoes anyway
Never ever apologise for the glitter-trail you leave from your Christmas-party dress
Breaking open the second tub of chocolates is absolutely okay
If you want to go to the party, go. If you don’t, don’t
Most people aren’t having as much fun as it seems on social media. They’re probably feeling very similar to you are now
My Fitness Pal is the devil. Unless you are training to be a body builder
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
And definitely get the matching pen, even if you will lose it after a week
Guilt should not be a prominent emotion in your life. Guilt is a waste of time
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
In pretty much anything you are going through or are feeling right now, you are not alone
Watching elf fifty times on repeat is absolutely acceptable. So is putting maple syrup on spaghetti
My dad goes for a curry on Christmas day. Can you even imagine Christmas without gravy?!
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
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
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
Secret Santa is the best, but also worst idea ever
Nobody is looking at your bloated tummy. And if they are, it is definitely in a “oh hun, me too” kinda way
A group of bunnies is called a “fluffle”
A group of flamingos is called a “flamboyance”
Invite the girls over for a night in; they’re probably sick of Christmas parties too
It’s okay to cry. Crying actually releases toxins and lowers blood pressure
Anything tastes good in a sandwich. Especially if it’s paired with brie and cranberry sauce
Whatever you do, do NOT go to the boxing day sales. Browse online with maximum filters in the safety of your own home
It’s okay to hate baths. They stress me the hell out. Listen to a podcast instead
If probiotics aren’t already your best friends, I would recommend making friends
Go for a walk. Unless it’s raining, then stay inside wrapped up in your duvet
Book a boiler service
Imagine showing an iPhone to eight year-old you whilst laughing at the mini-disk player on the side; you would literally FREAK!!
Sitting in your PJs and eating spasta on NYE is absolutely okay
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
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
If Winnie the Pooh wore a crop top, you can too
Bryony Gordon’s podcast is one of the best things I’ve listened to all year
I’m only a few chapters into her book but it’s also pretty spectacular
Pull the TV up really close to the sofa and provide yourself with a large array of snacks
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
You really don’t need to set yourself a New Years Resolution
If you do decide to make them; absolutely do not make them about carb reduction or counting macros
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)
Keep being you. Keep doing you. You’ll do it better than anyone else can and you are absolutely enough
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!
Wow thank you Lottie! This is absolutely spot on ?? I was worrying a lot about Xmas with my stomach issues at the moment and anxiety being a lot worse so I was not looking forward to the busy time of year! So nice to hear that it’s ok to say no to these events as sometimes we force ourselves to make an appearance!!
It absolutely is OK to say no. You need to look after yourself and your body first. Plus I always think, if you don’t want to be there, people will notice so there is no point putting you or anyone else through the misery haha! Lots of love x
“You will not become a pig in a blanket” ???? Literally going to recite that every day between now and new year!
Love your writing Lottie, you’re amazing xx
Absolutely love this! Also love the idea of not having New Years resolutions. They are too much pressure!! But I do something I think you might like too. For the last few years I have made a list of 12 things I’d like to achieve in the following year. You can achieve them in any order and whenever you can but 12 just seems manageable at 1 a month. I do all sorts of things from something slightly out of my comfort zone I want to try, an experience I’ve been wanting to do, a financial goal like saving so much or paying a debt off…. plus every single year without fail I have a ME day on the list. A day that I purely do what I want to do! Just wanted to share with you ☺️ As I end every year feeling I’ve accomplished something and if there is anything not ticked off the list, I roll it forward to next year!
Love this Lottie 🙂 xx
Thank you so much for reading and so glad you like it 🙂 x x
Wow thank you Lottie! This is absolutely spot on ?? I was worrying a lot about Xmas with my stomach issues at the moment and anxiety being a lot worse so I was not looking forward to the busy time of year! So nice to hear that it’s ok to say no to these events as sometimes we force ourselves to make an appearance!!
It absolutely is OK to say no. You need to look after yourself and your body first. Plus I always think, if you don’t want to be there, people will notice so there is no point putting you or anyone else through the misery haha! Lots of love x
I love this!! Every single point is true.
Thank you
Thank you Steph, so glad you can relate and it wasn’t total nonsense! ? x x
If Winnie Pooh wore a crop top then you can too… love this! ? x
?? maybe don’t copy his no knickers style though! x
Love all of these!!! ????! But 21 and 32 ??! Your such an inspiration to just be yourself, I love it!!! Xxxx
Hahah I think about 32 all the time, like any new technology that comes out I’m like IMAGINE! ? and thank you so much, that’s really lovely x
“You will not become a pig in a blanket” ???? Literally going to recite that every day between now and new year!
Love your writing Lottie, you’re amazing xx
Hahah that’s my favourite one too! Thank you so much x x
Absolutely love this! Also love the idea of not having New Years resolutions. They are too much pressure!! But I do something I think you might like too. For the last few years I have made a list of 12 things I’d like to achieve in the following year. You can achieve them in any order and whenever you can but 12 just seems manageable at 1 a month. I do all sorts of things from something slightly out of my comfort zone I want to try, an experience I’ve been wanting to do, a financial goal like saving so much or paying a debt off…. plus every single year without fail I have a ME day on the list. A day that I purely do what I want to do! Just wanted to share with you ☺️ As I end every year feeling I’ve accomplished something and if there is anything not ticked off the list, I roll it forward to next year!
This is such a great idea. I love setting goals but never thought of including something like a “me day”. Thank you for sharing, great tip ❤️ X