<p>Over the years, it’s been challenging. But somehow, I’ve learned to quit. In fact, now that I think about it, I’ve quit doing a lot of things during the past two decades. About eleven years ago, I quit using credit cards. That probably doesn’t surprise you much, if you’ve read my column before. However, you may not know about some of my other “quits.”</p>
<p>A little over fifteen years ago, I quit drinking soda. I’ve quit eating at restaurants for a season of my life. And I quit putting email on my phone, too. Maybe, not all of the things I’ve quit have benefited me as much as those three though. I’ve been known to quit exercising and to quit eating healthfully upon occasion, too.</p>
<p>Every time we quit something, a new habit rushes in to replace the old. Few of us can stop doing one thing without starting another, even if it happens subconsciously. This ebb and flow of our lives isn’t necessarily a bad thing.</p>
<p>Quitting clears out space for us to begin. And as we head toward the holiday season, it just may be the perfect time for all of us to consider quitting. No, I’m not advocating you quit celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas. Quite on the contrary: This is the perfect time of the year for you to rethink your current and past patterns to embrace the season with great gusto and fullness of life.</p>
<p>Quit spending</p>
<p>I love October, but it can be a month of excess for our family spending. We celebrated a birthday, Halloween, fun fall traditions and spent a week on vacation for Fall Break. Even for a budget-minded bunch, we lived a little too large. With Thanksgiving and Christmas on the horizon, now is the perfect time for a personal finance reset.</p>
<p>It’s time to ratchet down spending before the holiday rush hits. And if you’re like us, it’s a good time to put a spending freeze into practice. It’s fine to purchase the necessities, but keep impulse buys and luxuries like dining out to a minimum or better yet forgo them all together.</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter whether you choose to quit spending on your morning coffee out or to cancel a membership or to re-evaluate a subscription. Quitting something for a season, gives you margin to handle them once they head your way.</p>
<p>Quit traditions</p>
<p>I love a holiday tradition. However, if past holiday traditions left you feeling drained, both in your soul and your wallet, it may be time to quit. Pricey meals out, over-the-top gift giving, photos, cards, family pajamas — your budget can’t withstand all of the traditions every single year.</p>
<p>The good news for you and me is that the upcoming seasons of celebration brim with all sorts of potential free traditions. You don’t have to trade merry for miserable. Begin by choosing to quit one holiday tradition. If necessary, have a difficult conversation with friends or family members about this change in plan as soon as possible.</p>
<p>It its place, offer an alternative free, fun tradition. You might choose to look at Christmas lights, go Christmas caroling, bake cookies, watch a classic Christmas special on TV, go to church, serve at a local charity, play a board game, put together a puzzle, go sledding or take a winter hike — the options are limitless.</p>
<p>Quit comparing</p>
<p>If we’re not careful, an inner Grinch can seep out, seeking to spoil joy during the holiday season. This “quit” has the most potential to transform your holiday season and keep contentment in check.</p>
<p>Whether you’re wigging out over a beautiful Christmas card you’ve received, or longingly looking at a TV upgrade on Black Friday, pause and reflect on what comparison does to your well being. Making purchase decisions based on what someone else has never ends well. Comparing your family to another’s best moment in a glossy still photo never does either. Before the “gimmes” make a move on your state of mind, make a vow to quit comparing this year before the temptation even begins.</p>
<p>Quit scrolling</p>
<p>It didn’t take long for online retailers to jump into full advertisement mode. On Nov. 1, I had email notifications of early Black Friday deals. Ads enticed me in my social media feeds. The next two months might be the most dangerous of the entire year when it comes to unnecessary online spending.</p>
<p>Pull yourself out of the continual loop by choosing quit the scroll this holiday season. If you’re not sure how to begin, consider deleting particularly tempting social media apps from your phone or tablet. Or, choose to set a time limit for each day on your scrolling. Most phones allow you to turn on settings that shut down the app after you’ve hit your maximum for the day. Unsubscribe from emails that trip you up. Kill the notifications on your phone.</p>
<p>Not only will you reduce potential online spending traps, you’ll also be able to step into the season with less distraction.</p>
<p>Maybe the author of the old adage “Quitters never win!” didn’t stop to consider just how positive quitting can be. Begin this year’s holiday season by quitting, so you can be truly free to celebrate.</p>
