Unwrapping the Holidays
The holidays are a whirlwind of tasks and traditions, pulling us in every direction and leaving little room to breathe. But what if this season, we gave ourselves the gift of slowing down and finding moments of peace amidst the chaos?
by: Andrea Fernandez, Social Media Strategist
Issue 3: November 29, 2024Holidays are chaos wrapped in ribbon.
The endless list of things to do—buy the gifts, decorate the house, plan the parties, cook the meals, call the people you only talk to once a year. It’s beautiful and messy, and somewhere in the middle of it all, you realize you forgot yourself.
You act in the way you journaled about leaving behind–flustered, frustrated, disappointed in yourself for forgetting to remember that you have grown.
But that doesn't mean you can't adjust. We are not inanimate objects, we can get back on track.
Noticing is step one. And it is the most important step. Now you can take a moment, slow down, and remember how you want to show up and take care of yourself.
Maybe that’s where this newsletter should begin: a love letter to slowing down. To finding moments, mere moments, where you’re not consumed by everyone else’s expectations.
What if we described self care as not another task on the list but something softer, easier?
Like letting yourself skip the party you don’t really want to go to. Or making a cup of tea and drinking it in silence while the world buzzes outside.
Maybe we remind ourselves that boundaries are a form of care. It’s okay to say no—no to one more obligation, no to the family drama that spikes this time of year no matter where you are in the world.
Maybe focus on protecting your peace.
And yet self care doesn’t have to mean solitude.
And oh, the little things—let’s honor tiny rituals to anchor yourself. Lighting a candle and watching the flame flicker. Taking three deep breaths before opening the door to the holiday madness. Writing down three things that made you smile today, even if one of them is just the way the sun came through the window.
The holidays are a lot. May this newsletter serve as a reminder to keep some of the magic for yourself. A little permission slip to feel good, to be soft, to rest.
Nothing may feel picture perfect. Nothing will be wrapped in a bow. Because isn’t that what the season is really about? Embracing the chaos, finding the joy, and being present.