Avoid Snooping & Boundaries (National Stress-Free Holidays Month Tips for 2025)
Decluttering
can help you get stressed before the holidays, especially if you declutter that
same day before your guests arrive. You can begin by decluttering your kitchen,
your closet, or your bathrooms one week before the holidays. Often starting
early to declutter can be helpful as well as helping you to make an inventory
list of items that you have in your kitchen and in your bathroom. Make sure to
have a decluttering system that does not make you feel more stressed out. Also,
knowing your family members and your friends that are curious about knowing
what is inside your kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, or shelves can make
you feel more stress.
Although, you cannot avoid
any guest from snooping, it is best to let them know your boundaries and do not
leave any valuables, documents, or sensitive items to be accessed. Addition,
limit your guest visits especially if you know that they try on your clothes,
your perfumes, and other items that they are curious about in your home. Change
your doorknobs in your room, add a hidden camera, or lock rooms before guest
arrives. Lastly, do not leave them alone if you know that they can open your
locked rooms or find items that you do not want them to see. Designate one or
three rooms for your holiday family gathering so that they are not curious to
see the rest of the rooms in your home.
Alternatively, it
is by having your guests entertained with a movie, board games, or finish
decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments that they bring. If they want to
try on your clothes or shoes, let them know that they can try on your clothes
before you donate them on another day and time. Remain calm and ensure that
they do not go inside your room without your permission. If needed, have a list
of boundaries ready for them to read on the art wall gallery or in the living
room area. Have a sign on your bedroom door and in other rooms that are locked.
Hang something on your
doorknob such as an electronic doorknob alarm or doorknob sensor or a recording
in progress doorknob holder. Also, communicate to your children that certain
rooms will be locked before the family gathering. Have toys, games, crayons,
and other items on a table so children can play in the living room. Let them
know that after guests go home, they can go back to their bedrooms with their
toys. Nonetheless, try decluttering your kitchen, your bathroom, and your
living room ahead of time.
It can feel frustrating,
especially if you cannot relax during family gatherings because of their
curiosity, snooping, and if they complain about how, you have items organized.
Be specific when communicating your boundaries to them before they come for the
holidays. If you feel uncomfortable locking rooms, make sure you have a safety
box or a box to lock up valuables, medical information, and sensitive
documents. Also, if they insist on trying on your clothing, shoes, or jewelry;
Prepare a donation box ahead of time for them to try on your clothing, shoes,
and jewelry. However, focus on decluttering your bedrooms and keep your locked
boxes out of sight from your guests.
If your guests open your
refrigerator without asking or feed your pet; Communicate clearly how you feel
about it. Family gatherings can be stressful and challenging especially if the
snooping is done by your in-laws. Make a food inventory list ahead of time or
ask your in-laws to bring food for the family potluck. Carefully speak to them
without causing more tension during the family gathering. Avoid snooping by
knowing exactly where, what, and how the snooping is done.
Often snooping is done
because of boredom, uncomfortable experiences, curiosity, or nervousness. They
might have other reasons for snooping, especially if they have trust issues or
have suspicion. Establish a start time and an end time for the family
gathering. Leave bookmarks, loose change, or other items to get their
curiosity. Although it might be difficult to avoid snooping, do consult with a
professional counselor to help you relax and to communicate your boundaries
without hurting or upsetting your guests.
Have time for self-care
before your guests arrive and if needed have a basket of spa items for your
guests. If you know your family members like your handwashes, lotion, and other
items; Include the items in your guest bathrooms. Limit your boundaries when
socializing and do breathing techniques to help you relax. Organize and dust
books from your bookshelf. Hide your written passwords if you keep them in a
notebook.
Limit your online usage from
guests. Keep your guests entertained without using the computer, laptop, or
tablets especially if your email opens automatically. No matter what the
reasons for their curiosity and snooping are, do be cautious and be respectful.
Make a commitment to improve your boundaries and in finding a balance for
entertaining your family and friends. Here are websites with more ways to declutter
and to avoid snooping in your home.
8 Things to Declutter Before the New Year:
8 Things to Declutter Before the New Year
10 Things to Declutter Before January 1 for a Fresh Start (Science-Backed Checklist):
10 Things to Declutter Before January 1 for a Fresh Start (Science-Backed Checklist)
12 Things to Declutter Before the New Year-Simplify:
12 Things to Declutter Before the New Year | Simplify
Holidays at Your House: The Snooping Family Member:
Holidays at Your House: The Snooping Family Member
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