Dearest Reader,
It’s hard to believe there are just 7 days until Christmas! How are you feeling today? Take a moment to check in with yourself. How’s your mind? Your body? Is there anything calling for your attention right now—stress, excitement, overwhelm?
Sometimes the holidays rush by so quickly that we forget to pause and ask ourselves how we’re truly doing. This is your invitation to stop for a moment, take a deep breath, and reflect.
This time of year is steeped in traditions, but here’s the thing: sometimes the traditions we hold onto no longer serve us. Maybe they’ve become more effort than joy, or maybe no one in the family really loves them anymore, but we keep doing them because we always have.
I am seeing this around me, so I am sharing an older podcast episode, where I explore the intricate tapestry of family traditions—the rituals that connect us, the ones that have outlived their purpose, and the new ones waiting to be discovered. We dive into how traditions strengthen familial bonds while also discussing the importance of letting go or evolving traditions that no longer resonate.
We also introduce the concept of a family council—a democratic way to involve everyone in creating and refining traditions that matter. Having these conversations with family and friends can be an act of love. Sometimes, we find out that everyone feels the same way about a particular tradition but no one has spoken up. Maybe it just needs a tweak, a facelift, or perhaps it’s time to let it go entirely.
If these discussions feel too big this year, give yourself permission to wait until the tension feels lower. You can even put a reminder in your calendar to revisit it after the holidays. For now, make a list of everything you’re doing this holiday season and rate how excited you feel about each one. Use that as your guide for next year—save what brings joy and tweak or skip the rest.
In my family, if it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t happen. I use set-and-forget reminders to keep track of the traditions we love most so we can focus on what really matters: being present and creating memories.
If you’re ready to explore how your traditions align with your family’s current season of life, I invite you to listen to this week’s episode for fresh perspectives and inspiration.
And if you’d like to chat about this further, I’d love to connect. You can schedule a time with me here.