anchor.diff:  
   == Tips
   +++<u>Stay Home or Elope</u>+++
  +
   My best advice for a calm holiday season is to escape. Create your own hideout or escape to a remote location with someone you feel %100 comfortable with; that person can be you. Once in your hideout, relax, let go, and be yourself. Now, explore the emotions you’ve been bottling up all year because you’ve been too busy to process them. Once that is done – explore the world & learn new things.
   
   During those four important holi"days", both Christmas and New Year’s eves/days, don’t worry about where you should or could be, just be happy with where you are <u>now</u>. Have a lovely dinner and celebrate what you’re thankful for. Oh, and call your loved ones – you might be eloping but you’re still a decent, loving person. Right?
   
   +++<u>Don't Over Schedule</u>+++
  +
   Rushing sucks. We can't help but feel rushed during the holidays. So many things to get done, so many people around trying to complete their gift list. Plan only a few things and for the rest, just go with the flow. Do what you feel like doing, when you feel like doing it.
   
   +++<u>Minimize Decorations</u>+++
  +
   If you hate decorating and find it stressful, minimize it! Minimalist decorations look modern and chic. This year, we decorated our home with 1 small tree with stars wrapped around it, 3 homemade origami trees, and a starprint table runner. We named our small Christmas tree Chuck. Chuck the tree.
   
   image::chucktree.PNG#small[Tiny Christmas Tree]
  
positive.code: Homemade Banana Bread
  
  +++<u>Declutter your Life</u>+++
  This one is a big one and might seem unachievable, but you need to approach it a step at a time. You should start by gathering information through research and reading. The minimalists have many wonderful blog posts to help you http://www.theminimalists.com/start/[get started].
  
  I used to have a big house with 14 rooms, including 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 living rooms, a double-garage, a pool, lots of furniture, trinkets and useless decorations. Now, I live in a 1 bedroom apartment. There are only two of us after all and we don't need more space. We only keep the necessities and it feels like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I can focus on what is important. This also means that welcoming guests isn't stressful because cleaning the entire place takes less than an hour a week! The lack of clutter will already remove half of the weight off your shoulders. To learn more about decluttering, read these fine articles: https://zenhabits.net/declutter-course/[The Minimalist Way to Declutter] and http://www.becomingminimalist.com/decluttering-principles/[10 Decluttering Principles to Help Anyone Clear the Clutter]. 
  
negative.code: If you're going to cancel gift giving, be sure to inform your family ahead of time. It’s the decent thing to do. This also means they might (hopefully) stop buying you gifts and you can stop lying to their faces about loving said gifts! If you actually love the presents your family give you that is wonderful, but still not worth the stress.
  
  +++<u>Ring in the New Year Debt-free</u>+++
  
  The great thing about not buying gifts is you don't have to stress out about money. Period.
  
  +++<u>Eat</u>+++
  
  Spend time eating what you love. Eat slowly and mindfully. Enjoy it! Some of my favourite moments are spent in the kitchen cooking with my partner Stefan. We get creative and have fun with it. If it burns or tastes horrible, don't sweat it, make simple nachos or order take-out! 
  
  image::buddhabowl.jpg#small[Homemade Banana Bread]
  First attempt at Buddha Bowls
  
  +++<u>Hobbies</u>+++
  
  Take a few days to just reconnect with yourself and do what you really love. Read, travel to a new place, sleep, cook, blog, have sex, whatever YOU want.
  
  I love cooking/baking and photography (amongst other things).
  