PRESENCE OVER PERFECTION

WHETHER YOU WANT TO CARVE OUT FAMILY TIME OR TAKE A PROPER BREAK FROM YOUR BUSINESS, BECCA PARKER DIGS INTO FINDING PEACE AMID THE FESTIVE NOISE

- BECCA PARKER

One good thing has come from the distance and uncertainty of the last year: it's brought what matters most into sharp focus. Zoom fatigue and doom scrolling have claimed too many hours, and now our hearts long for meaningful moments spent with loved ones IRL. Exactly how to make that a stress-free reality at this time of year is the real question.

Craft is often where we turn for winding down. The slow, repetitive motions of fingers in clay and dough, stitch after stitch with yarn or thread, or an hour spent with paints calms the mind. But add Christmas into the mix and those pursuits can gain to-do list status. Or, worse still, there's no time for mindful making at all. Let's liberate our calendars and find time for what matters most.

SIMPLE IS BEAUTIFUL

There could be a straightforward solution: doing less. Cutting down on commitments creates space for experiences that count. While this sounds great in theory, you might wonder if it's possible to streamline at the busiest time. Hse Huey (www.thesimplechapters.com) thinks so. She's a slow living aficionado. “Being mindful and doing less leaves more room for family, traditions and the true meaning of Christmas," shares Hse. Her trick is to scrutinise each task, non-negotiables aside, before you add them to your plate. "Ask yourself if it will create meaningful memories, and if it will make you and your family happy," she advises.