Now that you've seen what can be simplified and what can be delegated, take another look at your list. Consider the amount of hours it will take you to accomplish everything on it.
One of three things is likely happening as you do this:
- You've done such a great job that you're thinking, "Wow, this is totally do-able!"
- You're thinking, "It's a lot, but I'm determined to do it all and make the holidays perfect!"
- You're starting to get that panicky feeling and thinking, "I can't do it!"
For you number ones, as long as you're being honest with yourself you can now move on to Step #7.
If you're a number two, STOP! Be honest, and think back to the last time you forced yourself to work that hard. Realistically, if you go into it with that mindset, you're likely to wear yourself out, stress about what you're not getting done, and send yourself into a flare-up.
If you're a three, take a deep breath. You don't have to do all of that!
Twos and threes -- start cutting again, and whittle that list down to about half of what it is now. I know it's scary, but if you get everything done and have the time and energy, you can always revive some of the things falling by the wayside now.
This might feel selfish, but if you had a broken leg or a brain tumor, you'd forgive yourself, wouldn't you? Just because other people can't see or possibly don't understand your illness doesn't make it less of a real impact on you and your life.
