I happened upon an interesting article that was successful in click-baiting me. It was about the premise of something called "Twixmas", which at first glance you might think was a clever marketing ploy for a popular candy bar, but something in the headline insinuated the article was about the importance of slowing down around the holiday.

I have to admit, I always find if counterintuitive that there's so much broadcast around holidays being a time to slow down when I myself, who have a hard time slowing down my thoughts to begin with, feel especially rushed before the holidays! So this theory was intriguing to me about the importance of slowing down during a specific time frame.

What is the "Twixmas" time frame?

Twixmas is actually NOT that time before the holidays. It's actually the somewhat awkward time between Christmas and the end of the year. It's that span of time that may feel similar to burnout for some, when people like me feel like doing absolutely nothing. 

Then inevtiably feel guilty about it - in this society where rushing around and 'getting things done' has become a badge of honor and respect.  Not that getting things done is a bad thiing. But when that's ALL your purpose has become, that's where you run into burnout and even potentially into making bad decisions. Related: Best Thanksgiving Turkey Brine Recipe

Many people, especially women, who are more naturally hardwired to feel guilty about relaxing and not being what's considered "productive", wonder why this period after the holidays, it feels especially hard to get motivated to move onto the next project or chore.

Ahem, it's because you NEED to slow down

The holidays, while full of joy, excitement, an increased feeling of oneness and reverence for your fellow man and woman, experiencing a lot of time with loves ones and eating fun foods, can also come with lots of busy-ness. The gift-buying, the cooking and entertaining (if you entertain), the holiday parties and events, the decorating, the card-sending, the cookie-baking.

The list of obligatory to-do's goes on and can differ from culture to culture and from personality to personality. It's a lot to think about, and although Christmas is and always will be my favorite time of year, I have realized that I need to really learn to just relax more and let perfection go. Related: Does Castor Oil Thicken Eybrows?

So Twixmas, when the major events are all over, instead of trying to take down all of our decorations, get the house straightened up and figuring out what to do with some of the gifts I got, my only inclination is to read, putter around the house, Door Dash, go get some grocery shopping or pleasure shopping done, binge watch TV, walk my dog, and otherwise engage in low effort, high pleasure activities. 

The catch? You have to train yourself to slow down without the guilt

Therein lies the hardest part. You have to let go of the guilt of allowing yourself time to do things the feed your soul, and allow your brain to shift out of the constant fight or flight of tackling the next chore. My husband and I have had a tradition of doing absolutely nothing other than watching movies, eating and having some cocktails on Christmas day.

Our entertaining duties are done since we entertain the night before, and we allow ourselves that full day to simply 'be'. And you know what? It's one of my favorite days of the year - and we don't feel guilty. Now if only we can do that a few more days successfully, with zero guilt, in the Twixmas stretch, we just may have cracked the secret to a well rounded life that's not one continuous to-do list.

Merry Christmas everyone, although it's late, I hope everyone had the warmest and most satisfying of Christmas seasons this year, no matter what you celebrate.