It probably goes without saying that it was a stressful week. It was the week before Christmas… Everyone seems to be stressing over something, whether it be those last minute gifts or family tensions or bratty little kids who are hopped up on sugar and driving their mother crazy on the subway.

And me? Well, I guess I was no exception…

It’s not that I was particularly stressed about the holidays per se… It’s only just now that I’ve cognitively realized that Christmas is a mere four days away, as I walked by the church at the end of my block and heard “O Little Town in Bethlehem” in Spanish being blasted out of the basement…. Not really doing the gift thing means my stress level is way down, and the few gifts I do need to buy don’t need to be bought until next week anyway because I’m going going to see my family until after New Years.

Mostly the stress is coming from work with a project that is mildly challenging (though not super complex either), and knowing that I must have it completely finished by the time I leave for New England on the 31st and being down several days for the holidays… Add on a two day bout with a migraine and a back so sore I could barely move, and you’ve got an unhappy, stressed out Nikkiana.

I only made it to three yoga classes this week and I missed the Leonard Cohen concert I bought tickets for because I was feeling so out of sorts.

So, let’s just say that I’m glad that this week is over and I have a few days to just stop and breathe, spend some time with my sweetie and not stress out about anything. I’m hoping to make it to a few yoga classes over the weekend, spend some time doing some writing tomorrow… and if I’m ambitious get some cleaning done this weekend.

Despite the fact that I felt like I totally faltered on my theme of being present this past week, I plan to recenter myself this weekend and have a holiday where I’m present and relaxed.

I hope that you do, too.