December Holidays With The In Laws

Every year it happens to me. Somehow my plans are changed, get snubbed out due to bad weather or finances or someone gets on my nerves. 

This year I've decided to consciously relinquish control and just go with the flow, even if I'm not the captain of the ship this year. Here are some of my coping tips if you're spending some time with the in laws.

Choose your battles

If you're anything like me, I battle to see the grey in a clearly black or white situation. There's always one black sheep that will rile you up and get you fuming. Martha Beck recently posted an excerpt from one of her books about family gatherings. 

Martha says, "Before you meet your relatives this season, take a few moments to sit quietly and acknowledge what you wish they were like. Then prepare to accept them even if they behave as they have always done in the past. At best you may be surprised to find that they actually are changing, that some of your wishes have come true. At worst you’ll feel regrettably detached from your kinfolk as you watch them play out their usual psychoses."

Always have a plan 'B' to keep yourself busy

Typically I shrug off family trips with "I'm gonna pack extra magazines just in case I get free time go under the radar for a bit". Problem is that when you've read every single downloaded magazine on your Zinnio App on the way down to Durban, you'll more than likely have nothing else up your sleeve for the next 8 days. 

My plan B's include :

• Updating my iPhone with the latest tracks from 2013 as well as some Golden oldies from the 80's and 90's off iTunes. Interestingly to know that until 26th of December iTunes has a gift a day (free downloads) to Apple users. Download the 12 Days of Gifts app to get your free gifts. 
• Shopping on the Amazon.com website for some Kindle books to download and sink my teeth into. I've mixed it up a bit purchasing books on Marketing, Angel Therapy and Gary Chapman's 5 Love Languages. 
• Downloading some games onto my iPad. Gosh I sound like an Apple Junkie but if you haven't downloaded fun apps like "Dumb ways to Die", "Can You Escape" and "Bitstrips" you're missing out! For those wanting something more practical, be sure to download Pick n Pay and Discovery Health's apps to view your profiles and find out how to earn points. 
• Catch up on those assignments. I'm going to have to put all my digital downloads onto my iPad so I can do some much overdue correspondence for my diploma. 

Be prepared for anything

This year I've been told I'm going to be sleeping 'open plan' on a blow up mattress. While I wasn't initially ecstatic that I wouldn't have any privacy, I'm glad I asked up front. I'll be taking my own hand held fans with back up batteries and charger. I will be pitching my mini 2 man tent in the lounge (no jokes) and I'm going to ensure that the I have enough mosquito repellent to keep the bugs away. Might as well do this on my terms, gotta get comfy for the 8 day stay!


Prepare for 2014

I'm kinda weird like this, but I like to plan. 
I always make sure that I have my favourite pen and journal for some time of reflection and introspection. Next year I'm planning to get more involved in wildlife, go away more often over weekend adventures and want to start dancing again. 

If you have the Pinterest app on your iPhone or iPad, you'll be able to browse around and create some mood boards for your upcoming wedding, business, dream home. It's a lot of fun. 

Be an observer - channel your inner voyeur

While I've been 'part' of my other half's extended family for 5 years, this is essentially only my 2nd stay over with them. My 2013 resolution was to take more videos, for the sake of capturing the essence of the memories being made around me. 

This year I'm going to be the voyeur for the close knit family, and observe. 
I wonder how much they will spill on film? Watch this space. 

Just chill, ok?

So wherever you are, whatever you're doing (or not doing) try make the most of it. Maybe inspiration will hit you, maybe you will sleep it all away after all it's your holiday too!

Be polite, be helpful and keep your opinions to yourself. 
Next year I'm going to 'Romania' - Remain here - but until then I'm gonna sit back, let them drive and see the upside of not having to do anything unless I'm told too.

Happy Holidays.