Can We Tame the Hydra of Holiday Chaos?
In Greek mythology, the Hydra is the ultimate overachiever. You tackle one head, and two more appear as if to say, “Oh, you thought you were done?”
Sound familiar? It’s the perfect metaphor for holiday to-do lists. Every task you complete seems to spawn two more, morphing life into chaos. It’s like your to-do list is growing more heads by the minute. 🐉
This year, I’m trying a different approach: slowing down and going deep.
Instead of trying to do it all, maybe we can try this:
Fewer but Better Goals: Prioritize what truly matters. Taking a few minutes upfront to identify what’s most important helps start taming the Hydra.
Creating Space: Block time for undistracted focus. Turn off phone and email alerts for a bit (your nervous system will thank you).
Practicing Mindfulness: Try this quick reset to slow down:
Run through your five senses:
5 things you can see
4 things you can feel
3 things you can hear
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste
And finally, let’s talk about letting go of perfection:
If you’re spending 30 minutes trying to get the corners on your gift wrap just right, stop. Ask yourself: has perfectionism reared her ugly head again? Put down the scissors, slap on some tape (crooked edges and all), and call it a day.
The intention behind the gift is what matters—not whether your wrapping could win an origami competition. (And we could write an entirely different post on how both perfectionism and compulsive gift-giving often leave us feeling emptier instead of creating the connection we seek.)

Schedule a free consultation with me today!