Minimal Tet

Here’s what I make Tet preparation no longer a nightmare.

• No rushing for Tet shopping. I only get basic daily stuff in the supermarket, while everyone keeps crazy for Tet shopping. Fewer sweets. No canned foods. No new clothes. More fresh vegetables. Red wine instead of beer. I’ve bought for myself a small pack of Japanese edamame beans and a few bottles of red wine to get chilled in this holiday.

  

  1st time with fresh edamame with salt isn’t too bad ;). Image credit: Wikihow.com

• No “new year resolution.” No big start for the new year. I think everything should be kept continual and I don’t need a new year event to press my “restart” or “refresh” button.
• No mass year-end house cleaning. Cleaning my entire house is not as exciting as what online newspaper said. House cleaning should be maintained weekly or monthly so that we won’t need the year-end house cleaning. Keeping my house minimal and remove unnecessary things also avoid the tiring year-end house cleaning.
• Don’t overload yourself with homemade dishes. List down what you can get in the supermarket (e.g., ready-made spring rolls). Homemade dishes are the best choice but not in Tet. Spend more time to relax and enjoy the being of “no workload.”
• Bring only mindfulness to pagodas. I never prepare money or for worship. I don’t either wish for luck, love, or prosperity. I only bring my mindfulness to pagodas, donate money for pagoda’s charity box, and let my mind clean, express my gratitude for life.

Tet is a chance to look back on what you have done in this year, and what you will do in the new year. So let this holiday be simple instead of rushing for anything. In these year-end days, I have more time to write blog posts, drink tea, read books, run, and walk. I still keep working on small tasks during the holiday to keep myself fresh and motivated.

I cup of genmaicha is great for detoxing. Image credit: theteacupoflife.com

I haven’t got married yet, so I can’t have insights from the occupation for Tet preparation from a Vietnamese housewife’s viewpoint. But I think we can make everything easier if we allow our mindset to change, and have a detailed preparation plan. Anyway, take it easy and happy holiday! 🙂