Life Lately: December 2022
Our ‘perfectly imperfect’ Christmas photo. The only one captured of all four of us, amidst all the fun!
With just a few days left of 2022, I have a lot of feelings. This year has been filled with ups, downs, and everything in between. I’m feeling grateful for the good, excited for what’s to come, and most of all, utterly exhausted. A few years ago I read Burnout (which I highly recommend) and it has been on my mind. Because right now? I am completely, and utterly, burnt out. The past few years have been intense for all of us, in so many different ways. This year led me to a level of fatigue I have never experienced, and it ended with December - which is in a league of its own when it comes to burnout-inducing seasons.
Exhaustion aside for a moment, I am truly grateful for all of the good. December was magic, and we were relatively healthy for most of it (which was very different than last year). We had so many fun moments: we visited Night Lights at the New England Botanic Garden, had a blast at our neighborhood holiday party, met Santa at our local library, hosted our first annual kids cookie decorating party, and hosted our family Christmas party. Somewhere in there, I spent three nights in NYC for work, hosted Christmas Eve, and had a fun night out with our best friends. At the same time - I stayed up late wrapping gifts for the kids, cleaned the kitchen approximately 739 times per hour, and somehow remember to move that little Elf every day.
Magic and exhaustion.
Earlier this week I had decided to put the decorations away on January 1st, like I do each year. And then all of a sudden, I felt desperate for a clean and tidy house. I immediately put away almost everything - it took me much longer than normal (because again, I’m exhausted) but it’s almost there. I’m keeping a few things up through the weekend, but for the most part, I’ve closed up my magic shop for the season.
This month, more than ever, I have been reminded of how much pressure we often feel because of the way others do certain things, what social media tells us to do, or how we’ve done things before. Whatever you are feeling right now, is valid and okay. So now, I am sitting in my almost-back-to-normal family room, dreaming about finding more rest this winter, I’m happy to share my notes from the past month.
Watching/Reading/Listening: This month was filled with Christmas movies - from Home Alone to The Santa Claus, to everything Hallmark, and so many others - there was little room room for anything else. In my pursuit of rest these past few days, I’ve gotten up-to-date on Fleishman is in Trouble and am excited to start some new shows in January. I read one silly Christmas book this month as well as Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six. To me, winter is prime reading time, so I can’t wait to add many new books to my list in the coming months. I’ve been listening to Your Own Backyard (almost done!) and my usual go-to’s (Crime Junkie, We Can Do Hard Things, and Unlocking Us).
Preparing for 2023: As I recently shared in my winter solstice reflection post, I create a yearly theme each year. I start thinking about it in November, and over the subsequent weeks I become increasingly sure of what it’s meant to be. I am really excited for my 2023 theme - and I’ll share it in a few days!
Get Your Workbook: I am offering one final sale on my 14-Day Goal Reset workbook (use code READY for 50% off). This seventeen page guidebook offers a daily thought, reflection question, and action prompt. If you’re like most people who are completely over the concept of making New Year Resolutions - this process might just be exactly what you need instead. It will help you take a close look at where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there - along with important self reflection and development moments along the road. This final sale means that you can get the workbook for just $9.50 OR you can get the package which includes a 75-minute coaching session with yours truly for less than $75 (which is less than my normal hourly coaching rate)! Get your workbook or package today!
101 in 1001: I made some meaningful progress this month - we played the December Game, I mailed out holiday cards (late and imperfect, but that’s life!), and we had our first double date since having kids (I know…it’s wild that it’s been so long). With just over 15 months left to go, I’ll be spending time to map out each activity across 2023, to make sure I can complete as much as possible.
