By the time we got to Oslo, the snow was gone, And we got lost...

At midday today I'm off to do a wellbeing walk organised by RASA – Renfrewshire’s alliance of statutory, voluntary and community groups who seek to end mental health stigma and discrimination, and also promote community health and wellbeing.

https://www.renfrewshire.hscp.scot/article/11511/Renfrewshire-Anti-Stigma-Alliance-RASA

Walking is of course excellent for improving your wellbeing and at this time of year a good walk is very welcome…

Ah, Christmas! That glittering beacon on the calendar that we are now swiftly moving towards with all the grace of a…well, me.

Don’t get me wrong – the day itself is grand. Give me the food, the crackers, the Christmas jumper, and I’m a happy soul. But the festive season comes with a “to-do” list so long it might as well be…well, my Christmas ‘to-do’ list. And all of that tends to leave me feeling… well, a tad overwhelmed.

There’s the cards (where did I put that pile of old envelopes that I pretend is an address book?), presents to wrap (mental note: buy sellotape. And paper. And don’t forget to properly recycle the gift bags, remembering to take off any little tags from the recycled bags that may inevitably end up with the person who gave me it in the first place…), and the endless array of shopping excursions… Add to that the jingle-bell chaos of deadlines and the sneaky December cold that’s ‘doing the rounds’…

But, ok, amidst the mayhem, there’s still something magical about the whole thing, and I’ve decided that this year I’m seeking a sense of calm by just embracing the chaos. I’m committing to absolutely no perfectionist tendencies (not that I've got many...) and aiming for a lot more mixed festive nuts ate in the name of yuletide cheer. I have no desire to make this Christmas ‘Insta’-worthy - if the tinsel’s a bit wonky, who cares? If the gift tags are stuck on upside down, so be it. What does it matter? As long as we’re sharing moments, making memories, and maybe having a laugh when whatever we’ve put in the oven ends up slightly singed, right?

So I'm up for suggesting that this year's best gifts should include a bit of kindness (to ourselves, too!) and, of course, that ‘medicinal’, last one in the box, mince pie amidst the chaos.

We have a great page here noting important numbers and information for the festive period – please share if you can:

https://engagerenfrewshire.org/engage-support/festive-contacts-and-services.html

In case I don't see you at a up and coming local social gathering, or more likely in the supermarket, I'll take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the festivities - here’s to a grand 2025!!

Alan