Well, here we are again. Another holiday week, and here I am, asking you to slow down, be present, and catch your breath. (I know, I know—next, I’ll be telling you to drink water and stretch. How original.)
But seriously, The Holidays aren’t just another square on the calendar. There are days when the whole world seems to hold its breath. Even if you don’t celebrate, you can’t ignore the sense of quiet that comes with Christmas, Hanukkah and the like. Stores are closed, email slows to a trickle, and—for a moment—we’re allowed to step off the treadmill of our busy lives.
So why not lean into it?
The Power of Stillness
Here’s the thing: Rest isn’t lazy. It’s strategic. It’s productive in the way a good night’s sleep fuels your body for the day ahead or how winter cocoons protect what’s growing inside. (Yes, that’s a callback to my butterfly post. You knew it was coming.)
Sometimes, the most radical act is simply pausing. In that stillness, you give yourself the chance to reflect on where you are and where you want to go. You don’t have to hustle today. You don’t have to plan. You can just be.
Gratitude, Generosity, and Grace
Christmas in particular is often framed as a time of giving, but let me ask: what are you giving yourself?
- Are you giving yourself grace for the things you didn’t check off your list this year?
- Are you giving yourself the generosity to sit down with a cup of coffee and let the to-do list wait?
- Are you giving yourself gratitude—not just for what you have, but for who you’ve become?
Small Steps, Big Changes
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I’ve got too much going on to rest,” let me gently remind you: the curated life you want doesn’t come from pushing harder—it comes from choosing better. Remember, you’re only five years away from your most curated life. But it starts with small, intentional steps. Even if that step is resting.
A Holiday Reset
So, on this day of all days, let yourself breathe. Whether you’re surrounded by family or cozied up solo, take this as permission to pause. To look around and ask yourself: What do I want to bring with me into the new year? What can I leave behind?
The butterfly doesn’t emerge by rushing the process. It happens in stillness. And neither will you.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, friends. You’ve got this—and I’ll be here again next week, probably telling you to slow down. 😉