Mindful Minute: Wrapping up the Year: The Gift of Prioritization

By Koryn Sheppard

The leaves have fallen, the air has turned colder, and we are on the brink of the busy holiday season. The stretch from November to the new year often turns into a whirlwind of activities, events, obligations, and expectations. While we long to enjoy the special moments and feel festive, we often end up feeling exhausted and burnt out.

The key to navigating this time with greater peace and a deeper sense of well-being is not in doing more, but in practicing the art of prioritization. 

You may be familiar with the time as a jar analogy. In this analogy, “big rocks” are your most important tasks and goals. In other words, the things that truly matter to your well-being and happiness. Sand represents urgent, low-value activities. Pebbles are smaller tasks. 

If you fill the jar with “sand” (urgent, low-value activities) and “pebbles” (smaller tasks) first, you’ll soon find there is no room left for the big rocks. However, if you schedule the big rocks first, the pebbles and sand can often fit in around them.

This holiday season, gift yourself the time to prioritize wellness “big rocks” such as foundational self-care and meaningful connections. These are the non-negotiables that protect your energy and keep you grounded.

Schedule “Me Time” First

Intentionally block out time for yourself. This is your biggest rock. Whether it’s a quiet morning with coffee, a few minutes of meditation, or a walk in nature, schedule these breaks before you schedule parties or shopping. Remember, this is not selfish; it’s necessary to recharge your mental and emotional batteries.

Prioritize Foundational Habits

A core routine is a crucial stability anchor amidst the chaos. Consistent sleep times, regular exercise, and healthy eating are big rocks that should be maintained to manage stress. If you normally work out, swap a high-energy activity for something more grounding, like gentle yoga, if needed.

Define Your Meaningful Connections

For many of us, the holidays mean connection. But you cannot be everywhere for everyone. Identify the two or three most important people or events for you, and put them on the calendar as big rocks. Politely declining other invitations or limiting time with difficult relatives is part of setting healthy boundaries.

Clearing the Clutter: Pebbles and Sand

Once your big rocks are in place, you can address the “pebbles” (shopping, cleaning, baking) and “sand” (last-minute errands, endless email checking).

Let go of the pressure to make everything “flawless.” Sometimes, the most beautiful moments are the imperfect ones. Your home doesn’t need to look like a magazine, and your cooking doesn’t need to be gourmet. Focusing on what is meaningful to you is the real goal.

Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps can reduce stress. For example, pre-measure ingredients the day before for a recipe you want to bake. For a holiday dinner, this means tackling logistics like finalizing the guest list and creating a simple menu weeks in advance. Similarly, for gift shopping, start by setting a firm budget and creating a list of recipients, then dedicate specific, limited blocks of time in your calendar for online shopping or for one efficient trip to a store. Try pairing these chores with a simple pleasure, such as putting on a favorite movie while wrapping gifts. This pairing is a small act of self-care that makes the necessary “pebbles” of the season more enjoyable.

Remember that “no” can be a complete and powerful sentence. If an activity doesn’t align with your big rocks, and it’s not absolutely necessary, let it go. Protecting your energy a vital aspect of self-care.

By intentionally putting your well-being and most important connections first, you can turn a potentially exhausting holiday season into a truly nourishing experience. This December, give yourself the gift of prioritization, schedule your big rocks, and celebrate the season — your way.

What is one “big rock” you can schedule into your calendar today to prepare for the holidays?

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