Your Magenta Monday Magic.
This past December, during the holidays, I did something that I hadn’t done before.
I said ‘no’. I put a stake in the ground for me and my peace.
More than anything, I was focused on protecting my peace during a season that often leaves me feeling drained.
Every year, we host my husband’s family on Christmas Day. I have always believed in the importance of family, and I love to see the cousins get together when everyone is home for the holidays.
But this year? I was tired. And not the ‘take-a-nap-and-get-over-it’ kind of tired. Trust me. I am the queen of napping, but my failsafe cure-all wasn’t even working.
I felt weary in my bones and the thought of planning, shopping, cleaning, setting the table, and then cleaning again was more than I could handle; especially coming so quickly on the heels of hosting Thanksgiving, decorating the house, shopping for, and wrapping gifts.
I found myself whining about all the work I had to do during the holidays – which was a huge joy-suck for anyone within earshot, including – and especially – me.
I tried to talk myself into it, but I just couldn’t muster the energy. It felt as if 30+ years of shopping, cooking, and cleaning up had finally taken its toll.
So I spent some time reflecting on how I could simplify the holidays while also protecting my peace.
Then, after explaining to my husband that I wanted to forgo hosting this year, I called my sister-in-law and told her how I felt. “I get it,” she said. She had recently lost her mom, so the approaching holidays were bringing her their own kind of weariness. Like me – like a lot of us – she usually digs deep to find the energy to push through.
We always have a great time celebrating the holidays, but we both agreed that we could take a year off, especially since most of us had seen each other the day after Thanksgiving at our ‘Mexican Fiesta.’ We’d gotten together, ordered take-out tacos, eaten too much chips and guac, and watched football and basketball all day.
Once I had that conversation, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. It created the space for me to rest and enjoy the holidays at a more leisurely pace.
Asking for what I needed allowed me to cultivate and protect my peace. That peace, in turn, allowed me to respond rather than react to the situation. It allowed me to communicate my feelings – without blame or judgment.
It allowed me to be with what is.
Monday Mindshift
It’s the 1° shift that makes the biggest difference over time.
Think about a time when you muscled through something because you felt like you ‘should’. Maybe you were afraid to ask for what you needed so you just did the thing and ended up stewing in resentment?
Take some time to reflect on what unfolded from there? Were you able to enjoy the thing you were doing? Or was your perspective so clouded by resentment that the entire experience was a negative one? Were you able to keep those feelings to yourself? Or did the way you felt end up being noticeable to those around you?
Then, think about what could have unfolded if you had handled things differently—if you had refused to buy into that ‘should’ and instead focused on protecting your peace. How would it have influenced the outcome differently—for you and the others involved—if, instead of doing what you ‘should’ do, you had taken steps to prioritize your well-being?
Considering what you come away with, will you be willing to speak up going forward? What will it take for you to love yourself first and commit to protecting your peace in every season of life?
Living BRIGHTer is...
B - Be Brave
R - Cultivate Relationships
I - Live with Intention
G - Practice Gratitude
H - Prioritize Health
T - Live your Truth
What is Magenta?
The color magenta is one of universal harmony and emotional balance. It is spiritual yet practical, encouraging common sense and a balanced outlook on life. Magenta helps to create harmony and balance in every aspect of life; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
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