it's time to get ignorant

Let me start by saying that Becoming Minimalist is one of the best sites I follow. It's most definitely not about getting rid of all your things and living some indie existence. It is about getting rid of mental clutter and stress as well. As we approach the holiday seasons in the year of the Covid, and it also happens be a voting year, I am constantly trying to avoid news, conversations, or situations that are stress inducing. Some days this is easier than others. At home I have the ability to turn off the news or turn down the radio. It's not like that everywhere else.

I have confirmed plans for the holidays that are reasonable and safe with only family, yet lots of fun and love. You do you, but I will be home with a small group of close family. I am okay with that. My child is okay with that. We want to stay safe and celebrate. That is manageable. It will definitely look different: no parade, no hot chocolate walk, no packing the house full of extended family. That is okay, though. For this year, it will have to be.

I do not plan to keep up with it all. I just can't. Even in an normal year, there are things we avoid and places we don't go. Why trudge through the mall when it's always packed and stressful when there's breakfast with Santa and Santa at the Christmas party? Even as I think about this, there will be a drive through breakfast with Santa and most definitely no Christmas party. We will make that work. It will be okay.

The focus this year is on love and togetherness. We choose safety and reason. I have to focus on myself, my family, and our needs. I don't need the biggest, fastest, bestest whatever is happening or whatever item is the hottest. I just want to sip hot chocolate in front of my fireplace and binge Netflix, play games, have a laugh, and avoid stress by realizing I don't need to be a part of it.

Fingers crossed! Let's all get ignorant ;)