The holiday season is in full swing and guess what, friends… I am tired. From the prep for Thanksgiving, holiday shopping, house decorating, and making list upon list of what has to be done over the next couple of weeks, this girl’s battery is being drained. I know I am not alone here. I am not even one to have a reindeer leg to stand on, as I am doing all this without having young children in the wintry mix.
I can handle make-ahead caramelized onions, but if I had to move around an Elf on the Shelf, bake hordes of cookies for an exchange, and take 50 holiday pictures to get the perfect one to send out to everyone in my address book, I would be writing this little ditty from the Marriott Hotel and Spa—with a mimosa in one hand while my feet soaked in lavender-infused water after a quick steam and time in the infrared sauna. At the same time, my family would be putting out a missing mom notice to family and friends. Obviously, I just gave away a thought that runs through my head quite a bit to have that much detail—but SHHHHH. Don’t tell my guys where to find me!
Here’s the thing: no matter what is going on, we sometimes run on low voltage. In boat terms, it means that something is obviously draining your battery without you knowing it. This is known as parasitic drain. Lovely thought. But no matter what it’s called or how it happens, the big question is—how do we recharge?
I know that every day I say I’m going to take time for myself. Order takeout instead of cooking a big meal. Go to bed early. Leave my list of things to be done alone. The next thing I know, I’m cleaning the fridge and inventorying the cabinets so I can see what’s needed for the holiday meals. Necessary stuff, but it is definitely drawing from the battery.
To rectify this and hold myself accountable to self-care, I want to challenge you all to do a few things with me…
- Call a dear friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Catch up, laugh at fun stories you share, and be honest and open about how you’re doing. Make that connection again.
- Read at least a chapter of a book every night—something that takes you to another place and gets you lost in the story.
- Make some cookies. You don’t have to go crazy here—even slice-and-bake works. There’s just something about the smell of freshly baked cookies in the house that feels like a warm hug.
- ORDER THE TAKEOUT. Enjoy pizza, Chinese food, and burgers. Then eat it on a paper plate.
Give yourself grace. Everything does not need to be perfect. The pies can be store-bought. The cinnamon rolls can come from a can. Gift bags work in a pinch. The laundry room door can be shut, and a load or two can be left untouched.
Your family and friends won’t notice these things at all—but they will notice if you’re not enjoying the time with them. So plug yourself into the joy of the season. Let it ramp you up to 100%, because when you run anything at the correct voltage, life cruises along at optimal output with minimal drain.
Happy Holidays to you all, from our home to yours. May it be filled with light, love, and the magic of the season. See you in 2026!
