Here's how to apply the MERRY Rule to holiday invitations:
• Money: Can you afford this event (travel, gifts, dining) without financial stress or guilt afterward? Suggest cheaper alternatives if needed.
• Energy: Do you have the physical and mental energy for this activity, or will it just drain you? Be honest about your capacity.
• Return (Value): Is the time spent worth it? Does it bring joy, connection, or fulfill a priority, or is it just another obligation?
• Recovery: Will you have time to recharge afterward? Don't overschedule yourself to the point of needing days to recover.
• You (Your Needs): Does this event genuinely serve your holiday happiness, or are you just saying yes out of obligation? Prioritize your peace.
By asking these questions, you can say "no" gracefully to draining events and protect your resources for the ones that truly make the holidays feel merry and bright.
Tidy Up Th Tip by Kiera Rain, BayAreaProfessionalOrganizer.com
