A Softer Way to Move Through the Holiday Season

Because you deserve a season that feels nourishing, not overwhelming.

The holidays are such a strange mix of magic and pressure, aren’t they? On one hand, we crave the twinkle lights, the quiet moments, the nostalgic coziness. And on the other, we feel the weight of expectations, to show up everywhere, say yes to everything, bake the things, buy the things, create memories, keep traditions alive, and somehow stay joyful through it all. If you’ve ever found yourself caught between wanting to enjoy the season and wanting to crawl under a blanket until January… just know, I get it. And you are so far from being alone in this season.

This Season Doesn’t Have to Be So Heavy

Somewhere along the way, we stopped letting the holidays be simple. We stuffed them with obligations, comparison, and noise. And the truth is, so many of us walk into December already tired, mentally, emotionally, physically. So before everything ramps up, I want to offer you a softer way to move through the holidays. A way that honors your peace, your energy, your boundaries, and your wellbeing.

Give Yourself Permission to Slow Down

Let’s start here, because it’s the one thing most people forget they’re allowed to do.

You are allowed to choose a slower holiday season. You’re allowed to say no to events that drain you. You’re allowed to give smaller, simpler gifts. You’re allowed to protect your mornings, your rest, your rituals. You don’t have to earn your joy or your calm. You’re allowed to claim it.

Small Moments Matter More Than Big Performances

We often think we need to create this big, beautiful, unforgettable holiday experience for the people around us, but what people remember most is how they felt.

Not the perfectly wrapped gifts. Not the five-course meal. Not whether your home looked like a magazine spread. They remember the warmth, the laughter, the softness of simply being together. They remember how safe they felt around you. They remember the ease.

And that’s something you can offer without burning yourself out.

Protect Your Energy (It’s Okay to Have Boundaries During the Holidays Too)

This time of year tends to pull us in a thousand directions. And because we love our people, we try to be everything for everyone. But you can’t pour from an empty cup, especially not during a season that already asks more of you. So here’s your permission slip. You can leave early. You can say no. You can do things differently this year. You can choose what actually feels good for you, even if it’s not what others expect. Your peace is a sacred thing, and it doesn’t take a holiday break.

Come Back to What Really Matters

Take a moment and ask yourself: What do I truly want this holiday season to feel like?

Calm? Cozy? Connected? Slow? Joyful in ways that aren’t loud or performative?

Let your answer guide your choices. Let it influence what you commit to, and what you gently release.

Simple Ways to Root Yourself This Season

A few small practices to help you stay grounded:

• Start your mornings with a slow breath before reaching for your phone

• Step outside for fresh air when gatherings feel overstimulating

• Light a candle and let a moment be just for you

• Create a soft boundary around your time (you don’t owe all of it away)

• Bring intention into your gift giving, not pressure

• Choose rest when you need rest

These little things add up. They quietly shift the way the whole season feels.

A Season That Feels Like You

If the holidays have felt heavy in the past, this is your reminder that you’re allowed to rewrite your experience. Your season doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It doesn’t have to be packed, loud, or overflowing. It can be gentle. It can be simple. It can be rooted. It can be yours. And as you move through these next few weeks, I hope you give yourself permission to protect your energy, to choose ease, and to savor the small moments that feel real and grounding. You deserve a holiday season that doesn’t drain you, one that actually nourishes you.