This time of year, I hear a lot of statements like, “I am supposed to get gifts for all of my kids’ teachers.” Or “I have to bake dozens of cookies for the neighbors.”
I am here to tell you these rules are made up in your head.
I would invite you to stop all the Have Tos and Supposed Tos, especially this time of year. You don’t have to do anything. You may want to do these things, but you don’t have to.
And, I hate to break it to you, but all these people you think you have to run around for, are not waiting on pins and needles for your gifts. They are busy thinking about themselves. I bet they would not notice if you did not get them anything this year.
So I invite you to change your vocabulary from “I have to” to “I want to.” It’s empowering because it’s the truth, and it will make you happier.
And if you don’t want to do it, don’t.