--- title: An Advent Plan for the Weary Woman’s Soul description: Feeling a bit weary this Advent? Sarah Damm offers six ideas to simplify expectations and enter into the real reason for the season. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/11/22/advent-plan-weary-womans-soul#) # An Advent Plan for the Weary Woman’s Soul Nov 22, 2016 12:00:53 PM  |  by [Sarah Damm](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/sarah-damm) [![Image by alenkasm via Bigstock. Words added in Canva. Used with permission.](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/CM_November.png?width=720&height=340&name=CM_November.png)](http://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-105441533/stock-photo-cup-of-tea-and-warm-plaid-blanket-on-wooden-rustic-bench-in-the-autumn-forest-fall-weekend-photo-toned,-selective-focus) *Image by alenkasm via Bigstock. Words added in Canva. Used with permission.*** Sitting across the table from a friend, she sensed my tension. After making small talk, she asked, “OK, what are you holding back?” As she invited me to be real and honest, it all came pouring out. How life just seemed really hard, and how I felt tired of fighting, striving, and stumbling my way through it. I was frustrated with myself that I couldn’t keep up, stay organized, or catch my breath. Her response was so gracious. As she repeated back to me all that was really hard in my life, I saw myself in a clearer light. My feelings of being overwhelmed and exhausted were real, and I wasn’t just being wimpy. As a wife and mom, I was giving to the point of exhaustion. And on top of it, I was trying to fix what was broken within me. At that moment, I allowed myself to feel the pain, cry, and let go of my impossible expectations. *What if I can’t lose weight right now, because my thyroid is out of whack? Is my life only worth a number on a scale?* * **What if I can’t catch up on the laundry of eight people, because I’m chronically fatigued? Is my life only worth an empty basket?* Dear sister, are you feeling tired, weary, and overwhelmed, before the season of Advent even begins? Maybe it’s a health issue—yours or a family member’s. Maybe it’s sleep deprivation—running after toddlers all day long. Maybe it’s a relationship strain—with a child, in-law, or friend. Whatever is causing weariness, it’s OK to let go of high expectations and simplify Advent and Christmas this year. [Tweet "Let go of high expectations. Simplify #Advent, #Christmas this year. With @sarahcdamm"] As women, we are naturally inclined to give, serve, and share. This can be our greatest strength, but there are times when we need to rest and lean more on God. In John 15:5, Jesus says, “apart from me you can do nothing.” And in Philippians 4:13, St. Paul says, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” So, if we can do nothing apart from Jesus but all things in Jesus, perhaps He is inviting us to something special this Advent. After all, more than chocolate countdown calendars and spying elves on shelves, the season of Advent is a time to watch in wonder for Love to come down at Christmas. Then, the weary soul can rejoice again. **An Advent plan for the weary woman** gives us grace to say yes to what is possible this year and no to what might cause additional stress, anxiety, or exhaustion. Here are six ideas for doing nothing apart from Christ and all through Him who gives us strength. 1. **Pray.** More than anything, Jesus invites us to spend time with Him, so He can refresh our weary souls. Can you devote one hour per week to quietly adore the Babe in the manger? Can you set aside 15 minutes each day to read the daily readings or a special devotional ([like this free one from The Littlest Way](http://www.thelittlestway.com/daily-advent-devotional-women/))? 2. **List**. This Thanksgiving weekend, list out everything you would like to do this Advent—Jesse Tree, feast days, baking, wrapping, shopping, etc. Bring your list to prayer, and ask Jesus for wisdom to prioritize it into essentials, nice-to-haves, and what can wait for another year. 3. **Simplify.** Now simplify the essentials! For example, use gift bags instead of wrapping paper this year. 4. ** ****Ask.** What tasks can you get help with? Can your husband shop for groceries? Can the kids set up an assembly line to stuff Christmas cards? Can you shop online, instead of fighting the crowds? 5. ** ****Be.** Make plenty of room to be present to the moment. Read Christmas books with the kids. Make hot chocolate and play games. Sit in front of the Christmas tree’s twinkling lights. Meet a friend for tea. 6. **Rest.** With a simpler plan, be sure to enjoy the extra time you have to get a good night’s sleep, take a nap with the baby, or [color while listening to Christmas carols](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612617654/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1612617654&linkCode=as2&tag=morthaeno03-20&linkId=d2c466b86c66550e9f8bafc49ccabf93). Restful activities refuel us and give us energy to do the work God invites us to do, even if it’s less than what we think is “normal.”   [![cm_novemberpin](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/CM_NovemberPIN.png?width=735&height=1102&name=CM_NovemberPIN.png)](http://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-105441533/stock-photo-cup-of-tea-and-warm-plaid-blanket-on-wooden-rustic-bench-in-the-autumn-forest-fall-weekend-photo-toned,-selective-focus) If you are feeling a bit weary, please know that you’re not alone. I am right there with you. And each Sunday of Advent, I will offer us some encouragement, [on my blog](http://sarahdamm.com). How can we celebrate this hopeful and joyful season when we are feeling drained and dry? Each week will include Scriptures, Christmas carols, and a free printable. I hope you will join me! **[Read more articles in our 2016 Advent Guide.](http://catholicmom.com/advent)** [![Advent Guide 2016 (CatholicMom.com)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/CM-Advent-Guide-pin-32.jpg?width=600&height=900&name=CM-Advent-Guide-pin-32.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/CM-Advent-Guide-pin-32.jpg) Photo copyright Christine Marciniak. Used with permission. All rights reserved. *Copyright 2016 Sarah Damm* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F11%2F22%2Fadvent-plan-weary-womans-soul%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F11%2F22%2Fadvent-plan-weary-womans-soul%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F11%2F22%2Fadvent-plan-weary-womans-soul%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=An%20Advent%20Plan%20for%20the%20Weary%20Woman%E2%80%99s%20Soul) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F11%2F22%2Fadvent-plan-weary-womans-soul%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2016%2F11%2F22%2Fadvent-plan-weary-womans-soul%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Sarah Damm](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/SARAH%20DAMM.jpeg) ### [Sarah Damm](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/sarah-damm) Sarah Damm is a Catholic wife and mother of six children, living in Minnesota. She spends her days running errands, helping with homework, and keeping up with laundry and the family schedule. Sarah loves her faith, coffee, and good books. You can find out more about her at [SarahDamm.com](http://sarahdamm.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ Five Ideas for a Simple, Prayerful Advent Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/11/08/five-ideas-for-a-simple-prayerful-advent/) [ Catholic T-Shirt Club Offers Ways to Live, Share Our Faith Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/07/13/catholic-t-shirt-club-offers-ways-live-share-faith) [ Centered on Christ: Inviting God into Your Lenten Plans Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2019/02/14/centered-on-christ-inviting-god-into-your-lenten-plans/) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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