You might think as a decorator and blogger that decorating for the holidays is like my bread and butter. Although, I don’t consider myself an over-decorator for the holidays, I do love to create a festive and fun atmosphere. But, this year was different…harder…to just get started…
I have struggled lately. When that happens I turn inward and do a lot of thinking. Outside of thinking I do little else. I was horrible at getting back to my friends. My hubby was giving me lots of breaks…time away to do more nothing. I cried randomly. I was in the deepest of funks.
I am a mother of two young boys and trying to build my business. Everything I was going through is normal, but nonetheless painful to experience. And, I indulged in it…the self-doubt and self-pity… longer than I should have. As the holiday season approached, I wasn’t sure I could muster the motivation to put up holiday decorations.
So, I did what I always do to get out of a funk. I start small. I start with something I am sure will work…no room for failure.
This time the small thing was bells on a rope. These simple temple bells on my front door, that I found last year in Dallas. I looped a piece of ribbon through the rope and over the top of the door and tacked it in, just like Martha recommends.
No fail. Simple. Easy. Quick. Pretty. And, it made me smile!
That was the start. The start of me feeling better. The start of holiday decorating. All you need to do is make one small move. Everything else will start to fall in place.
Have you made any small moves lately?
I really needed a reminder of this today! Thanks :)
Lizelle, If you are in a funk I hope you can find one small move to make! Do something simple…just for you!
I understand those types of funks, Jackie. And Christmas just seems to magnify the fact that we “should” be feeling joyful, which just makes it worse. I’m glad the bells helped!
Val, You are so right. Now that I have leaned into the season and started decorating I am feeling joyful again…and my creativity is on the rise!
The bells look so sweet! I hope your funk is lifting. :)
Thanks, Amy. I am doing much better. I think the start of winter and the days getting shorter hit me really hard this year.
Glad you got out of your funk. I am no decorator, but I know how it feels to lose your mojo. Taking a step back and starting small does wonders for getting the mojo flowing again. Welcome back!
~ Ferly
Gifts We Use {to grow, love and serve}
Thanks, Ferly. Losing my mojo is a good way to put it. But I am getting it back!!!
I can SO identify with this! Good for you!
Great advice. Sometimes the best thing to do is start. Hopefully great Christmas decorating will follow!
Very classy and fun!!! Love the bells !!! Did you know God loves the sound of bells? !!!
When my kids were small we did the live tree thing, and afterwards, the trees were sent to this area where certain fish breeder in them…best of all for me was playing this old old Christmas upbeat song over and over and I let them put on the tinsel. I really noticed it was placed so perfectly and in laughter, and its such a hilarious memory!!! Now trees come from boxes but that tinsel just was so fun and said, kids are happy here!!!
I used to over decorate to where my Mom said it looked like a store!!! Tonight I hosted my own event and it was magical fun and grown up. But with kids, oh how fun the year I did snowman stuff Cuz it doesn’t hardly ever snow here…so I suppose you could do a rain theme?!! Oh we get Tule fog!!! I’m being silly but as a former first grade teacher we had fun writing but then doing a very quick project to enhance the school academic stuff. Enjoy!! Your days will fly by and you’ll have this decked out house party and its work and yet so fun!! Yes much old stuff spray painted!!! And curtains turned backwards to create a Calif valley winter wonderland. But oh the days of you and your boys coloring and sending them to your hubby’s parents far away…and paper chain or whatever you want to do!!! I got out brass I had purchased a few years ago at GW to paint but got too sick and YOU taught me its IN!!! And ya don’t have to polish it!!! Ah a mixture of crystal and brass candlesticks with a couple sizes of PB votives and Wow my 2″ mantle looked so good!!! And you know what? I pray for you too. For you are such a devoted business woman who inspires just by being you!!!!!
Gwen, I love you! Thank you for always sharing your stories and lifting up my spirit!
sigh. Haven’t even managed a couple of bells yet. I am so not in the holiday spirit.
Mary, I hope you find something simple to inspire you. I know it sounds silly but hanging up these bells did wonders for my holiday spirit.
What a perfect idea to start the holiday season! You are talented – keep on keeping’!
Sorry you’re feeling down and thank you for sharing. I’m loving your simple and crafty Xmas decorating. There’s so much pressure during the holidays to do everything perfect. It can take away the fun and joy if you let it. I’ve been wanting to do some fun Xmas crafts with my 5 year old. Any ideas?
Lisa, For one, you could let him help wrap pinecones, or at least mess around with the yarn. My boys also LOVED helping with the colored ornaments last year and painting the plastic animals! On my list this year is some fake snow globes using mason jars, decorating cookies, and something with glitter (all kids love to sprinkle glitter)!
Thanks for the ideas. I think no matter what we do my son will love it.