| Hey friends, Missy here, team herder of cats, subbing in for Jonathan this week. Just a quick note from someone currently juggling holiday events, last-minute shopping, wrapping gifts with tape stuck to my elbow, and pretending the smoke alarm is not because of my baking skills… The holidays get busy. Like “why is there glitter in my hair and how did I spend $47 at Dollar Tree?” busy. And in the middle of all that, it’s easy to forget the most important part: taking care of your actual human self. So here’s your gentle, slightly sarcastic nudge: You don’t have to say yes to every party, cookie swap, parade, charity drive, ornament-making marathon, or elf-related activity. It is absolutely acceptable to eat cereal for dinner and call it balance. If you need to hide in the bathroom with the lights off for a five-minute meditation (or a harmless cry), that’s called self-care, not defeat. Rest is productive. Sleep is a gift. Stillness is holy. Seriously though — pushing past exhaustion isn’t festive. Your mental health and physical well-being matter way more than perfectly coordinated pajamas or handmade gift tags. The people who love you want you — not an exhausted, dehydrated, burnt-out version of you running entirely on caffeine and panic. So here’s to saying “no thanks,” choosing peace, ordering takeout, asking for help, and remembering that joy doesn’t require perfection. If you need permission to slow down, breathe, and take a break — consider this officially granted. Sending love, sanity, and maybe a nap, Missy P.S. Hydrate. Seriously. Half of holiday stress can be solved with eight hours of sleep and a BIG glass of water. |
