December 2024: Invest in Yourself

Hello, December—

We are well into the holiday season. For many, it's a time of joy, festivity, and cheer—yet for some, it's a time that summons anxiety, grief, or aloneness. It's completely normal to feel mixed and complicated emotions. Especially because it's a time of spending....spending extended time with family, spending money on gifts, and spending energy preparing our homes and meals for company. This frenzied output reminds me of the importance of intentionally focusing on input; no matter how you feel about the holidays.

During this season of so much giving, I am trying to be mindful about the value of receiving too. Not only does this mean receiving from others with grace and gratitude, but also pouring into my cup and allowing myself to receive during a time when it feels counterintuitive. As I write this, I am cozied up at my husband's family cabin in Estes Park, Colorado. When we travel, I always wake up early so I can have some alone time. I walk our dog Ollie with a mountain view in sight, then come home, make coffee, turn on the fire, do some yoga, and spend some time with myself. Today, I am soaking up the small moments that fill me up - listening to the hooting owl on our walk, the magically slow motion snowfall, the warmth of the fireplace, soft instrumental Christmas music playing in the background, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

With the season's hustle and bustle, it's important to remember to invest in our own well-being. This could look a number of ways: it could be saying no to extra commitments; it could be retiring early for the night, just to get some quiet recharge time; opting out of unwanted conversation topics and unapologetically going for a stroll instead; or maybe it's simply having that decadent piece of pie with your morning coffee. In the season of giving, perhaps the greatest gift we can offer is a little care for ourselves too.

Wishing you a month of warmth, generosity, and self-care.

Warmly,  

 Lucy