Good Morning y’all!! As you know, sometimes I travel for work, and Sometimes I Vacay. Sadly, it’s not always one or the other. I’m frequently just in Atlanta- business as usual. This time of the year, it’s so difficult to maintain an adequate level of productivity, but I do have some tips to help you on your way!

1. Holiday Shopping

Take advantage of online retailers to help get your holiday shopping done as quickly as possible. Check out my Gift Guide for the Globetrotting Gal! Whether she’s an Eco Adventurer or a Local Tourist, you’re bound to find a fantastic gift on that list.

2. Stay Active

Don’t wait until the New Year to try and loose all of that holiday weight, instead, stay active throughout December so you won’t need to run five miles a day in January. It’s so hard to squeeze in a workout between all of the madness of the holidays, but it’s also more important than ever. We’re drinking more, eating more, and sitting more. On top of the physical benefits, incorporating regular exercise in to your routine can help you manage stress by having a schedule; can keep your endorphins up when the holiday blues get you down; and is a great excuse to get out of the house when there gets to be just a bit too much family around ;). Try using ClassPass to find classes at a time and location convenient to you & your schedule. Check out a yoga class to destress, a pilates class to prevent injury while moving those heavy boxes, or a kickboxing class to work off all that cornbread stuffing!

3. Move!

It’s a surprisingly good time to move! Whether extra family will be in town to help schlep boxes, or you’re taking advantage of using up the rest of your vacation days, Atlanta Peach Movers can help you on you move in to your next home- even if it’s long distance moving to or from Atlanta– for a bright, fresh, new year! If you’re in an apartment and looking for a new place, remember, the cheapest leases are ones that are likely to expire between Thanksgiving and New Years because so few people want to move during that time of year.

4. Wash Your Car!

If you’re living in one of the sunny states, use this as an opportunity to get outside and hand wash your car! It can be a fun activity to do with your kids, significant other, or an active day for yourself! Alternatively, treat yourself to a car wash at Mister Car Wash. Sit back and enjoy someone else doing the work. Bonus- a lot of car washes have specials on purchasing gift cards or multiple washes, make someone’s day and gift them a wash, or stock up on discounted washes for yourself to use in January!

5. Swap Out Your Wardrobe

Swap our your wardrobe, if you haven’t done so yet, using a vacation day to turnover your closet will feel incredibly productive! Get paid to clean out your closet! I’ve loved using ThredUp- I just put my gently used clothing in the pre-stamped bag that they send me, load it up, and USPS takes it away. Over the years, I’ve earned $193.51 for consigning my clothes through ThredUp. I realize I may have made more by selling them on eBay or Poshmark, but honestly, I don’t feel like I have the time to deal with all of that. ThredUp makes it simple and convenient to earn money for getting rid of my clothes that I don’t wear anymore. Plus, the payout is in a Visa gift card! To get $10 off your first purchase, or to sign up to get your first Clean Out bag, click here!

6. Decorate for the Holidays! (& clean in the process!)

I know that sounds so obvious. BUT! Hear me out, use this as an opportunity to deep clean your house first. Dust the shelves before you put up your snow globes, vacuum the living room rug before you put our the tree, wash your throw blankets before storing them to replace them with winter themed blankies. It’ll feel great to go into the holidays with such a clean house!

7. Use Up Your Vacation Days!

Make sure you’ve used up all of your vacation days if they don’t roll over- or see if your company “buys back” unused vacation days. You’ve earned those! If you’re staying in town, use your vacation days to clean up your house, or take a day and explore your home city!

8. Year End Doc’s Visits

By the end of the year, there’s a good chance that you’ve met your deductible. take advantage and check in with your primary care physician before it resets on January 1!

9. Self-care can be productive!

I know it doesn’t sound like it, but I swear it is! You will be able to focus on tasks better, will feel more confident, and will be more capable of tackling the mental & emotional challenges that come with the holidays if you’re properly rested and have a clear mind. Take time for a bubble bath, coloring book, watching your favorite movies, reading a good book with a cup of tea (for book suggestions, check out my GoodReads page), or journaling. Journaling can be free writing, fan fiction, mindfulness, gratitude journaling, diary entries, or anything that calms your mind. If you’re having trouble getting started like I did, consider a journal with prompts, like this one which is a bit sillier, or this one that takes a more serious outlook on positive journaling.

10. Set Your Goals for Next Year

This goes hand-in-hand with self-care, but take an hour or so to really sit down and think about your goals for next year. Do you want to add running as part of your weekly routine? Learn a new language? Travel to a new land? Increase your savings by 25%? Get nominated for a promotion? Whatever it may be, write out your goals and make a plan to achieve them! (More on goals and resolution setting to come!)

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