With a little less than four weeks until Christmas, now is go time for so many in our Marmalead community! Along with making sure your shop is good to go, it’s also really important to make sure you’re mentally strong to take on the holidays. Keeping yourself healthy both mentally and physically during the holidays is vital for having a successful experience in your Etsy shop.

The holiday busy season is officially in full swing! By now, your shop should be all ready to go for the next few weeks. If you’re needing a refresher on what you should do to make sure everything is all buttoned up, you can check out our latest holiday prep jam episode. We covered tips on preparing for Etsy shop success during the holiday season that can serve as your final checklist of what to do! 

By now you should know that we fully believe it’s just as important to cover tips that can help you stay healthy mentally in order to find success in your shop as well! 

Are you already stressing?

We get it, the holidays can be seriously stressful. Along with navigating holidays that are way different than any before, you also are running an Etsy shop. You’re answering emails, fulfilling orders and trying to keep everything going while still making things as normal as possible for yourself and your families/loved ones. Below we’ll chat through some tips to help you stay centered and to try and help you walk through the next few weeks with a healthy mindset.

1. Identify your resident Grinch and let it go

We all have one in every family. That one person who is perpetually negative. And let’s face it, this year more than ever, that voice might be louder than ever. With the climate of the world currently, it’s possible this voice will have even more to say through the holidays. First of all, decide ahead of time to let go of the idea that you can possibly change this person. Then, make a conscious decision how much time/zoom calls you will allow this person to have with you and your family. Put your energy and time into those who build you up and will navigate this very unusual holiday season with as much positivity as possible. 

2. Take a moment for yourself

Whether it’s a quiet cup of coffee in the morning or a late-night moment of silence after packaging up your products in the evening. Whenever it is, take a moment for yourself. This is also a great time to make a list of all the things you are grateful for. Take time to think about each of these things and concentrate on all the good that is happening during this season. 

3. Take time each day to enjoy something about the season

It’s so easy to get caught up in the craziness happening during this time of the year. We all do it. Between taking care of your customers, to baking for your family and decorating your home (these are just a few of the million things you probably have to do) the busyness that seems required at this time of year can tend to take over.

Taking a moment to stop and breathe is SO important. Look around your home. Enjoy your decorations. Revel in the Christmas lights. Whatever it is you may be celebrating, choose something that you love and concentrate on it. Savor one of your baked goodies and enjoy that warm cup of cider. Don’t let the season slip away without taking these moments to get centered and breathe in the joy of the season.

4. All the things you know you should do but aren’t

We should be doing this all year long, but right now, it’s extremely important to take care of yourself in the small ways you know you should. If possible, try and get a full night’s rest. Drink plenty of water and make sure that in-between all those baked goods, you’re eating healthy to balance everything out. Carve out time to get outside and take a short walk if possible. As hard as it may be to do these things, burning yourself out because you didn’t will not serve you or your shop well in the end. 

5. Throw around kindness like confetti 

I know, I’ve used that saying many times before but I LOVE it! Especially this time of year! Studies have shown that doing random acts of kindness have amazing benefits for the person doing the act as much as for the one receiving it. It doesn’t even have to be something huge, the most simple acts of kindness are just as impactful. So if you’re in that Starbucks line and you have the means to do it, pay for the person’s coffee behind you! Even simply reaching out to another Etsy seller whom you know is in the trenches with you and encouraging them is a great way to show you care! 

Final thoughts

The truth is, the holidays can be INSANE for most Etsy sellers. Let’s be honest, they’re pretty crazy for everyone in general. But staying focused on what matters, remaining grateful through the craziness, will help tremendously! While yes, it may be busy, these next few weeks don’t have to drive us completely insane if we’re focused on the right things. What are some things you do to stay mentally strong through the holidays? Let us know in the comments below!

Happy holiday selling, everyone!