We all experience festivity overload in December: wreaths, twinkle lights, bells, cookies, and gifts. I love all the seasonal highlights (you know this), but I want to acknowledge that this time can be overstimulating, lonely, tense, and not all that wonderful. If you haven’t told yourself lately, you’re doing an amazing job getting through the craziness.
This past week has been a whirlwind, and I’ve been busy with a few work projects I’m dying to tell you about in the new year! Until then, it feels like a mad dash to the holiday finish line. I wanted to drop in and leave you with some quick tips and tricks I use that might help you get through the next couple of weeks:
1. Breathwork
It sounds cheesy but good breathing is a low-key superpower. Focusing on my in and out breath gets me through chaotic moments, like shopping for a present at the 11th hour or anxiously trying to make a very tight connecting flight. If you’re not sure where to start, I’d highly recommend Alo’s beginner’s guide to breathwork.
2. Baking
I love pulling out my vintage cookbooks this time of year. Sometimes I bake alone, other times, cookie-making is a group activity — you can recruit some helpers in the kitchen. I’ve been low-key craving peppermint bark and figured I’d also make my famous chocolate chip cookies (which I know some of you have tried:)). Then, I found this recipe for peppermint chocolate chip cookies, which feels like the best of both worlds! Here’s the recipe, courtesy of So Much Food: Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies. I plan on making a batch this week.
3. Watching a comfort movie
Grab a cozy blanket and settle into a comfort movie — that always helps me decompress. P.S. You don’t have to watch a “holiday” movie unless you want to. For me, comfort is the goal. For example, I might watch When Harry Met Sally. Anything from this list would be good. If I’m jonesing for a holiday vibe, I’ll throw on a classic like The Family Stone or The Holiday. Also, I still have to see Wicked, so that’s on the list.
4. Water coloring
If you missed our BS Gift Guide, this watercolor set was in there, and I plan to pull it out this week for a little wholesome art therapy. I love this quote by Emily Sundberg from her Substack Feed Me: “You don’t need an edible, you need watercolors.” Sounds about right.
5. Listening to a podcast
Something that keeps me grounded through unstructured time — like that space between Christmas and New Year’s when you don’t know what day it is — is continuing my daily practices. I’ll make the space to move my body, walking outside or on the treadmill. I’ll listen to a podcast while I walk. Have you listened to 9 to 5ish? It’s one of my faves.
6. Organizing a space
Last week, I spent a full day organizing our basement and while I know that sounds like some people’s personal hell, I loved it. There’s something about a small house project — cleaning the kitchen or organizing a closet or basement — that helps quiet my busy head. And it’s so satisfying to be done.
7. Moodboarding
If I’m feeling up to it — and I won’t pressure myself if I’m not; remember, we’re relaxing here — I’ll pull out my iPad and start moodboarding for trips and events I have coming up. Visual planning always gets me excited and feels productive but not hard.
8. Journaling
To know me is to know I’ll have a journal in my bag. I write out big ideas, small ideas, goals, gratitude, doodles, etc. This week, I’ll spend some time reflecting on this past year: the big projects I finished, the people I was able to connect with (you guys!), and life-changing experiences — I want to pause for a sec and write down how I’m feeling about all of it.
9. Calling a friend
For many people, this time of year can feel lonely. Maybe you have a friend whose parents are divorced and their holidays are split between two places, or you have a cousin who can’t get back home because the flights are too expensive so they’re hanging out alone. Give them a call to catch up. It doesn’t have to be a big deal, but the holidays are tough and reaching out to the people you love can go a long way.
10. Skincare
I’ll be mostly makeup-free until 2025 — keep it simple — but I won’t forgo my skincare routine. Simple sunscreen and moisturizer are all you need. I might also do a face mask or gua sha if I feel like leaning in.
11. Reading
I love newsletters, so I’ll be catching up on my favorites that have piled up in my inbox. And instead of mindlessly scrolling, I’m going to read a book. It’s so much better for my mind. If you have any recs, send them my way!
I don’t know about you, but with this list, I feel better equipped to take on the rest of the 2024 holiday sprint. I hope you do, too. I’ll check in next week. We’re not doing a full issue, but I’ll pop into your inbox and say hi:)
Love,
Hailee (Beau)
A place to highlight your comments on the previous week’s issue. Today, we hear from Iris in response to 28 lessons for 28 years.
“Your email was like a hug to embrace the changes and trust that whatever is coming it's coming for my good, for my growth. It was like you knew what I needed to read today. I'm really grateful. You gave me the idea of doing the list of things I've learned this year too.” -Iris
