This time of year has a way of defining the fine line between excitement and exhaustion, doesn't it?
It starts with one client event, and before you know it, your calendar looks like an over-decorated Christmas tree - stacked high with parties, gifts, get-togethers, and all the work it takes to close out one year and plan for the next.
It's beautiful chaos - but it's also A LOT!
Everywhere you turn, people are juggling it all - trying to be festive, present, and generous on top of everything else. Meanwhile, Amazon boxes are multiplying like gremlins on your front porch, and you're 99% sure you RSVP'd "maybe" to the same event three times just to buy yourself time to figure out what night you can slow down and breathe.
In the midst of all the cheer and champagne, Brad and I have been channeling our inner elves. We've delivered over 100 bottles of holiday cheer over the past two weeks. One. Hundred. It's been pretty amazing, a bit ridiculous, and kind of therapeutic. There is something about physically showing up to say "thank you" that feels right this time of year.
Yesterday, for the first time in weeks, we had a full day off. No events, no obligations, no work. It was just us, the house, and our growing to-do list of domestic things we've been neglecting. Sooo naturally, we spent the day cleaning, giving our furbabies their spa treatments, and doing all the other domestic household stuff that simply must be done. Very romantic, I know. Somewhere between scrubbing and sorting, we pulled out our Christmas decorations and turned the house into our version of festive.
Now our home looks like Christmas. Unfortunately, it still doesn't feel much like Christmas. The weather has been, IMO, perfect. Bright, sunny, warm. It's been a dream - unless you're trying to summon cold, cozy holiday vibes, in which case you're left lighting a pine-scented candle and cranking the AC just to pretend it's actually Thanksgiving week.
If you visit our home before the end of the year, you'll notice something missing. Once again, we will not have a Christmas tree...just this photographic reminder of what it was like when we did. You see, the furry love of my life, my very handsome bestie, is absolutely the reason we cannot have nice things. He eats Christmas. Ornaments, pine needles, the tree skirt - all a playground in his eyes. So, once again, we will lean into the memory of Christmas trees past, pour another glass of cabernet, and call it "festive enough".
All year, I've been ending each day by writing down my gratitudes. It's nothing more than a few lines - what I'm thankful for, who I'm thankful for (it's often Nashy) - it's not about being deep or profound (though it sometimes is because...well...I'm still me). Sometimes it's as basic as "that pizza literally saved my life...and the lives of those around me." Sometimes it's a healthy reminder that the little things can make the biggest impact.
I won't go into the full lessons from this year of nightly gratitude journaling - yet. I'm saving that for the new year. However, I will say this: it has helped me stay grounded when the world feels loud, divided, and endlessly exhausting. It's helped me stay focused on what actually matters.
If you're running through your own marathon of merriment right now, I hope you will give yourself permission to pause. Sit with the people you love, hug the ones who drive you crazy, and remember what a gift it is just to be here...just to be healthy, connected, alive in this very strange and beautiful time.
The hustle isn't going anywhere.
For now, we've got our twinkle lights, great vino, and one very proud, very cute tree assassin keeping things festive in his own chaotic way.
Happy Holidays, Friends! Be gentle with yourselves and remember your blessings. 
