anchor.diff:  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.
  +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 unacheivable, 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: = Merry Minimalist Holidays
  :hp-image: roxystefan.jpg
  
  :hp-tags: [holidays, minimalist, quiet, christmas, happy, survive holidays, declutter]
  
  