Personal Productivity
How to Have a Wonderful Twixtmas
A Chance to Take a Moment in the Holiday Season
Twixtmas, is the time between Christmas and New Year, which is not, unfortunately, a time to gorge Twix — although it could be
Your mileage may vary. I know that some people will be working between Christmas and New Year, and many will have additional family responsibilities at this time.
I well remember trying to keep the children entertained and the fraught negotiations with my partner to see who was prepared to take holiday from work to look after them.
Yet many people here in the UK are fortunate enough to have a break between Christmas and New Year from school or work. It’s a quieter time when the world seems to shut down.
When I Was So Much Younger Than Today
When I was young, I used to hate Twixtmas, it was so boring, sitting around, nothing much on TV, scoffing Quality Street and leftover turkey, and bickering with family.
That was when I was young, and time seemed like an endless road stretching ahead of me. I had time enough to waste.
Not so much now, I’m a lot older. I want to squeeze the joy out of all the road yet to travel.
And there’s a lot more interest in productivity nowadays. And back then, there wasn’t a constant stream of content to enjoy and to overwhelm.
This Twixtmas
I will be taking a break from my normal routine. With my other half off work and my two children back from university, this is a special time.
I will be travelling the country, taking time to connect with my family in Derbyshire. I will be spending time with my partner and grown-up children, all of us out of our usual routine.
We might play a board game, and I’m hoping to have a least one family walk. A time to talk and catch up.
Kudos to Amber Rose
whose latest podcast ‘Law of Attraction Changed my Life’ talks got me thinking about Twixtmas. Here’s a podcast link:
I enjoy this podcast very much for entertainment and for Francesca Amber’s ideas and her frank and funny delivery.
Ideas for Twixtmas
Amber Rose talks about Twixtmas as a liminal time, a magical time of the year when you can intentionally rest and recharge and set intentions for the year to come. She talks about taking time away from the usual activities and spending time on herself.
It’s not quite as meaningful for me. I might have a half-hearted stab at creating some intentions for the new year. I have long since abandoned resolutions.
Yet, I might just find some time to try a couple of Amber Rose’s ideas to make this time more interesting.
Suggestions for Twixtmas
- create some alone time, if possible. Even if it’s just a day or a couple of hours. If you have caring responsibilities, see if anyone can give you a hand.
- let yourself get bored: switch off your social media
- have a day devoted to dreaming
- plan your 2024
- declutter — I won’t be doing this, as I like clutter, but some people might like to sort their life out at this time
- create a Twixtmas ritual. This doesn't have to be elaborate. It could be very low-key: watch a favourite movie, have a bath with a Lust bath bomb.
- get out into nature,
What is Twixtmas to you?
A time of family? Or a time devoted to you? Is it a time of liminal magic? A time of boredom? Rest? Relief? Or is it a week just like any other?