Breezin' Through the Season

I'm not going to talk about holiday books, holiday movies, or holiday crafts as I've done in the past. Despite this being another holiday season almost 2 years into the COVID-19 pandemic, I haven't turned into a humbug...yet (check in with me again this time next year). I thought I'd instead talk about books to help us de-stress during this most wonderful time of the year.

There are so many self-help books out there to calm and soothe us, but these are some that are both helpful and easily readable:

• The Gifts of Imperfection (Brene Brown)  You're perfect just the way you are with all your imperfections; the key is to accept yourself and stop trying to be different.
• The Healing Power of the Breath (Richard P. Brown and Patricia L. Gerbarg)  Breathing is something we do everyday, but if done mindfully, it can help ease stress, anxiety, insomnia, and other issues.
• Don't Sweat the Small Stuff With Your Family (Richard Carlson)  It's easy for little things to feel big and unconquerable. Learn how to make the little things more manageable.
• The Book of Joy (Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu)  We all want to feel joy, so why not learn a few things from two of the world's most respected and prominent spiritual leaders?
• L'art de la Simplicite (Dominique Loreau)  While holiday commercialism may be pushing for more, this book teaches us we can be satisfied with less.
• The Four Agreements (Don Miguel Ruiz)  Be impeccable with your word. Don't take anything personally. Don't make assumptions. Always do your best. There would be fewer arguments and more goodwill if people tried to follow these concepts.
• The Little Book of Hygge (Meik Wiking)  The Danish concept of hygge, or "coziness," was all the rage a few years ago, but who says you can't still enjoy a book, candles, fuzzy socks, a cup of tea, and all those other little things to make you happy?

While the holiday season is a time of happiness and fun, it can also be a time of stress, depression, and anxiety. There are things that you can do, however, to relax and help put you in a better frame of mind. Some hot cocoa and a good book don't hurt as well.

Wishing you a peaceful holiday season and Happy New Year from the perch.

Choose JOMO Over FOMO

I'm sure we've all heard about FOMO, the "fear of missing out." Usually this pertains to our relationship with electronic devices. Many of us may feel a little antsy if we haven't checked our phones, email, or social media accounts in the last few minutes (I'm slightly exaggerating here...slightly). We're afraid we may have missed something important or interesting if we're not constantly plugged in to what's going on.

In direct contrast to FOMO, there's JOMO, "the joy of missing out." Amazing as it may seem, there are some people (including yours truly) who have no fear of missing out because they choose to miss out. Have I lost you? Yes, there are actually people who willfully put away their phones, step away from their laptops, and turn off their TVs to do other things that don't require electric or batteries.

Take a moment to think about it. Are you really happy staying tuned to the news every moment of the day? Do those memes on social media really enrich your life? Is it really vital to see photos of what your sister ate for dinner yesterday? Or would you be happier putting those things aside to read, have an actual conversation with someone, do a hobby, or take a walk outside?

Be daring--choose JOMO! I understand that social media and being connected to almost everyone on the planet is part of our reality these days, but we can always unplug from all that for a while. JOMO can even be regarded as a form of self-care. And with the holiday season here, it may just be the thing that will help many of us stay sane through them.

Wishing you times of JOMO from the perch.