8 Ways to Untangle your Tinsel

As I shared last week the festive season is a magical time filled with love, joy, connection, celebration and anticipation. But let’s be honest—it can also come with a fair share of stress, overwhelm and the pressure to make everything perfect. Between family gatherings, gift-giving and the endless to-do lists, rather than having your knickers in a twist, it is easy to feel like you are tangled up in your own tinsel.

This year choose to approach the holiday season with a little more ease and intention. It’s all about finding that balance between spreading joy and nurturing yourself. Here are eight ways to keep your tinsel from getting tangled this festive season.

During the holidays, it’s easy to feel like you have to do it all—attend every party, bake every treat and give the perfect gift to everyone. But the truth is, there is no need to spread yourself thin to make the season special.

I invite you to take a step back and ask yourself: What truly matters to me this season?

Is it quality time with loved ones, creating meaningful memories, or simply taking time to rest and recharge? Once you get clear on your priorities, it becomes easier to say no to the things that don’t align and focus on what fills your heart.

Set standards with Grace: One of the biggest sources of holiday stress is feeling obligated to meet expectations of everyone. Family traditions, social commitments and even work pressures can all start to pile up, leaving you feeling overwhelmed.

Remember, it is okay to say no. Set standards (or boundaries) that honour your time, energy and well-being. If you need a quiet night in instead of attending a holiday party, that is perfectly fine. If certain family dynamics drain you, consider limiting the amount of time you spend in those situations.

Wild Tip: Practice saying, “I’d love to, but I need to take some time for myself.” Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out—they’re about protecting your peace.

Honour Your Own Traditions (or Create New Ones): Sometimes, holiday traditions can feel more like obligations rather than celebrations. If you find yourself following traditions that no longer bring you joy or meaning, give yourself permission to make changes. Honour the traditions that resonate with you, and feel free to create new ones that align with who you are today.

Maybe this year, you want to host a cozy pyjama brunch instead of a formal dinner, or you might want to start a new tradition of volunteering as a family. Traditions should evolve and grow with you.

Wild Tip: Reflect on the holiday traditions that bring you the most joy and consider how you can let go of or adapt the ones that feel like a burden.

Delegate and Ask for Help: The festive season can come with a lot of tasks, from decorating to cooking to planning events. Trying to handle everything on your own can lead to burnout. It’s okay to ask for help! Whether it’s asking family members to bring a dish to a holiday meal or delegating tasks like gift wrapping, remember that you are not expected to do it all.

Sharing the workload allows everyone to feel involved, and it creates a whole lot of extra space for you to enjoy the festivities too.

Plan for Flexibility: One of the best ways to stay stress-free during the holidays is to plan for flexibility. Not everything will go as expected—flights might be delayed, plans might change and unexpected hiccups might pop up. Instead of holding tightly to a rigid schedule, allow some wriggle space for things to flow and adjust naturally.

When you release the need for everything to go perfectly, you open yourself up to enjoying the spontaneity and unexpected magic of the season.

Wild Tip: Build a little flexibility into your holiday plans. For example, if you are hosting, give yourself extra time for prep, and let go of the idea that everything needs to be flawless. It is totally okay to roll with the changes!

Let Go of Comparison: The holiday season often comes with the temptation to compare—whether it’s comparing your decorations, gifts or holiday plans to what you see on social media or what others are doing. This constant comparison can create unnecessary unease and even feelings of inadequacy. Remember that everyone’s festive season is unique, and there’s no “right” way to celebrate.

Embrace your own pace and style and resist the urge to measure your experience against others. The most magical holidays are the ones that are authentic and meaningful to you.

Wild Tip: Whenever you feel the pull of comparison, take a moment to reflect on what you love most about your holiday season. Celebrate the things that make your experience special and meaningful.

Practice Gratitude in all Moments: With so much going on during the festive season, it’s easy to get caught up in what needs to be done next. What if you slowed down and truly soaked in the magic of the small moments? A cozy evening by the fire, a heartfelt conversation or even the sound of holiday music playing softly in the background—these are the moments that make the season special.

Wild Tip: At the end of each day, reflect on three small moments that brought you joy or peace. Gratitude helps shift the focus away from the hustle and onto what truly matters.

Be Present in each Moment: The festive season tends to pass by in a blur if we are constantly thinking about what comes next. Instead of rushing through, practice being present. Whether it’s a holiday meal, a family gathering or a quiet night at home, take a deep breath and savour the moment. Presence is the greatest gift you can give to yourself and those around you.

Wild Tip: Try this mindful practice—whenever you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, pause and name three things you can see, hear and feel in the present moment. This brings you back into the here and now.

Make Time for Play and Fun: Remember to infuse some fun and playfulness into the festive season amidst the busyness. Allow yourself to tap into the childlike joy of the season by decorating cookies, playing a festive game or watching your favourite holiday movies. Play is one of the best ways to unwind, laugh and ease your mind.

When you are having fun, the little things that usually cause discomfort and overwhelm seem to melt away. This is a time for joy, after all!

Wild Tip: Set aside time to do something playful or fun each week of the festive season. It could be a movie night, a holiday craft project or even a dance party in your living room. Playtime is for adults too!

This holiday season, remember that it is okay to slow down, set boundaries and prioritise your well-being. By embracing a more mindful and intentional approach to the festivities, you can create space for joy, connection and meaningful moments without the overwhelm, while you keep your tinsel from getting tangled and enjoy the season with an open heart.

So, untangle that tinsel, breathe deep and let yourself flow through the holidays with peace and ease, as you bask in the joy and magic of it all. 

Prioritise love, joy, ease and connection—because that is what truly matters. You deserve to enjoy the season as much as anyone else. 🌟

With 2024 being an 8 year—symbolising balance, abundance and infinite possibilities—I was also called to share 8 essential oil blends to support you this festive season. Each blend is crafted to help you feel grounded, calm and joyful this holiday season, while adding a little extra magic to your days ahead.

🌿 8 Festive Essential Oil Blends to Support You 🌿

Summer Bushwalk: Eucalyptus, Tea Tree and Lemon Myrtle (Fresh and invigorating)

Silent Night: Lavender, Frankincense, and Ylang Ylang (for deep rest).

Kookaburra Song: Rosalina, Cedarwood and Orange (Warm, grounding and citrusy)

Joyful Spirit: Orange, Peppermint, and Geranium (to uplift your mood).

Merry Heart: Rose, Lavender, and Sandalwood (to nurture love and connection).

Bushland Breeze: Tea Tree, Blue Cypress and Lemon Eucalyptus (A grounding, earthy blend that evokes the scent of summer rain.)

Coastal Calm: Lime, Sandalwood and Peppermint (Uplifting and refreshing)

Outback Glow: Orange, Clove and Sandalwood (Warm and festive with a spicy twist)

Simply diffuse these blends or add a few drops to a carrier oil for festive self-care rituals.

I have included a few blends that highlight the natural beauty and celebrate the unique scents of an Australian Christmas—bush, beach and starry skies—while nurturing a sense of calm and festive joy. Let me know if you would like more essential oils blends! 🌿✨