We’re in the heart of holiday season which means the perfectionists out there are driving themselves crazy trying to plan the perfect holiday.  Perfectionism can really put a damper on your mood during the holiday season and prevent you from being able to enjoy what the holidays are really all about (spoiler alert: They’re not about how decorated your home is or how beautifully frosted your sugar cookies are).

So, how do we let go of perfectionism this season?

1. Know that “perfect” is an illusion. There is absolutely no such thing as a perfect holiday and really, isn’t what makes a holiday so great the melding of all of the imperfect people that gather together to enjoy each other’s company?  I mean, c’mon, no great stories ever came from a “perfect” day.
2. Other people won’t know if you don’t tell them. So, you forgot to fold the egg whites into your cake batter and now it’s a bit denser than it should have been?  Guess what- Your guests won’t have any idea that your cake wasn’t how you intended.  Don’t sweat the small stuff.
3. Learn to say no. The holiday season can become overwhelming with all of the events going on, but the key is that you actually don’t have to attend all of them.  Say yes to events that are meaningful to you and politely decline those that will only add to your stress and busy schedule.
4. Make time for yourself. Often times we get caught up in pleasing everyone else and forget about ourselves. Schedule some “me-time” on your calendar, even if it’s just 30 minutes of reading a good book or binging on your favorite Netflix show.
5. Ask for help. Just because you’re the event host/hostess doesn’t mean you have to clean the house, set the table, make the food, and come up with entertainment.  Enlist the help of family and friends so that the party planning process is enjoyable for you.
6. Practice acceptance. Not everything will go as planned and that is OKAY.  Knowing this will take the pressure off and hopefully, allow you to enjoy your holiday instead of focusing on what went wrong.