crawling our way to Saturday
We can make it through this hard, dark week.
It’s the hardest, darkest week of the year. It’s pitch-black, middle-of-the-night dark here in Seattle at 5:15 pm. And every year, this week — the last week of school before the winter holiday break begins, so every single day feels 14 days long with our feet trapped in molasses — is hard for kids and their parents.
“It’s the most dysregulated time of the year!” (Sing that with silly gusto, because what other choice do we have?)
I am crawling my way to Saturday morning, when we can sleep in and I don’t have to wake up at 6 am, cajole tired kids to the car, and drive 3 different places before 7:30 am. I am ready to crash.
And that’s with us doing the bare minimum for the holidays this year.
About 4 years ago, I was cleaning out a box in July — one that had been sitting in that closet for a very long time — and found about 60 Christmas cards, addressed to friends. Envelopes sealed. Addresses on. Stamped.
In a box. In July.
Hello, ADHD and overwhelm.
At that moment, I took “Let’s send Christmas cards to all our friends” off our December list. And guess what? NO ONE MENTIONED IT. No one was offended. We still have those people in our lives.
We just don’t have the stress.
Last year, our kids both said they prefer to have a smaller Christmas now. And they would like to give us a list of 10 things they would like. They invited us to choose 3 things off that list, and then surprise them with 3 other things.
I have not set foot in a mall or big store for Christmas shopping once this year. I’m buying from small businesses or directly from the companies, rather than using one of the giant shopping network that delivers to your door at 5:30 in the morning.
We don’t have that stress anymore.
Earlier this month, we each named Christmas movies and specials we wanted to watch. I made a list of all the ones that showed up on everyone’s list. I put them each on index cards and put those in a plastic quart container. Each night, I draw one at random and we watch it.
We no longer deal with the stress of trying to decide what to watch anymore.
If you’re having a hard time this dark week, you’re not alone.
You’re not alone at all.
If you're feeling particularly spacy, or teary, or frustrated, or hopeless, or overstimulated, or annoyed this week?
You're not alone.
The light is coming back, slowly, starting this weekend.
Would you consider taking 5 deep breaths before you snap at someone else this week? Breathe in through your nose and right down to your belly, slowly, then exhale slowly from your moth.
Honestly, when we realize we’re stressed and our body is growing anxious, 5 slow, deep breaths usually does the trick.
After you feel more grounded in your body again, join me in pouring some egg nog in your coffee. Or having another cookie?
Let's be cozy and winter together.
Please take care of yourself this week. You deserve that care.
This is my last free newsletter here until January of 2025. We all deserve a break.
I’ll be coming back with a clear vision of what I want to give you, which has been building for months.
Here are some images and quotes to let you know the direction we’re going, together, in the new year.
