JINGLE HELL

Well, it’s that time of year again.

The lights are up, the inflatables are out, and everywhere you look, it’s holly jolly time.

Nope, it’s not Thanksgiving yet, one of my favorite holidays that slips through the cracks more and more each year, it seems.

I wonder if we know what we’re racing toward, in such a hurry to get to the end of the year. I’m guilty of it too. My Christmas tree is not up yet, but I don’t wait until December to prepare for Christmas, and I find myself ready to bust into my 2023 planner when I still have a month of 2022.

I do not want to wish my time away, but the reasons are no mystery to me, or to you if you’ve ever struggled with seasonal, or any kind of, depression. It’s a hard time of year for me and for many others, but I have tried each year, to do something uplifting for myself and for you.

This year i’m doing something a little different. I’m taking a break. Not from everything (dad), but from the things I built to support myself. I think it’s always good to step back for a minute, judge what you’ve done so far and pause before heading back in.

I want to evaluate what I’ve done this year and what I want to do next year. So I’m saying cheers for the year.

I have the opportunity to take a break, and I’m taking it. I’ll be gone this month from this blog, Youtube, and, largely, social media.

I will be spending time alone and with family and friends.

You can always reach me here

If you’re interested in seeing what I’ll be up to December, follow me on Instagram

I’m doing a self-care month to practice what I preach.

I’ve assigned myself 31 self-care activities to post about throughout the month. The biggest thing, the point, is to take care of myself so I can work as hard as I work throughout the year. It’s largely about rest and giving myself some creative space. I still have to get through another quarter before I’ll feel better.

That seems like a long time from now and it is in many ways. In others, it will be here in a flash. I’ve made it through one month maybe, but I still have a few dark ones to go.

This is hard.

It is hard to do the things and it is hard to accept that it is hard to do the things. It is hard to need help and that help comes from the people who drive you most nuts.

I have often talked about how hard this season is for me and for others I know, but I’ve never taken a break from the holidays like I have the opportunity to this year.

Don’t think I’ll leave you with nothing, though. I’ve written a lot about this time of year and the pillars of Advent.

If you’re interested, start here:

ADVENT FOR THE BROKENHEARTED

There are four pillars of Advent: HOPE, JOY, PEACE, and LOVE. The fifth and final candle is the Christ candle, but I have maintained in all these posts that you don’t have to believe in baby Jesus or Santa Claus to enjoy, learn from, and gather strength from the pillars of Advent any time of year.

I hope your holidays are a time of rest and recovery for you, but know, if they’re not, this too shall pass. Happy Reading.