In mid-December, many of us are feeling a bit overwhelmed. Bustling to-do, to-buy, to-get, to-make, to-wrap lists seem never ending. It is a bittersweet and paradoxical season for most of us…anxious with the lack of time, yet grateful to have enough (or perhaps too much) time to see, hug, and laugh with those we love.
My brain loves productivity and getting those to-do lists DONE! My system naturally likes to have a plan, and a blueprint for precisely how each day within this holiday season will go. Within my visions of swirling around, dancing and singing to Harry Connick Jr., my mind can also spin and swirl with negativity of when and how am I going to get it all done.
Within these moments, I try to thank my inner worrier/critic/planner for helping me to think and strategize. I also remind her that it is okay, and quite necessary for her to take a little break from time to time. I tell her, “You do not always have to be DOING something when you are enjoying Harry Connick Jr.”
For me, when I visualize what I can truly do to relax and enjoy all aspects of this holiday season, I wish to have more itty-bitty moments to be peacefully present, rather than being efficiently productive, despite those never ending to-do lists. 
I hope to slow down enough to simply enjoy time. I want to create meaningful moments that I can actually remember, compared to just rushing to and from. Rather than getting a dopamine hit from checking more items off my to-do list, I want to feel a serotonin hit from savoring social connections and actually feeling those hugs and creating laughter with those I love.
As I intend to take a little break to connect more with family and friends in person, I will not be online as much over the next few weeks. These are my intentions for my kind of holiday season, a season I want to savor, rather than dread.
This is a non-paid endorsement wishing you intentional moments to create space to visualize how you want to feel within the time left of this December to savor what remains in 2024.
Regardless of what feels good to you, or if you like Harry Connick Jr. holiday music or not, I hope you can smile as you savor your own kind of holiday season.
As always, thank you for sharing this to connect more people as we all support a holiday season to feel peaceful. May you have a safe and memorable wrap to 2024.
P.S. These pictures were taken earlier in the month on our charming and historic Festus Main Street. I love them, not only because it was a beautiful day in such a special space, but also because it was an impromptu itty-bitty photo shoot that was sparked out of enthusiasm for the glory of the day, in the moment, as I was walking with my new friend Rachael.
We admired what we saw, how grateful we felt, and took time out of our busy schedules to capture the moment. It still makes me smile. Rachael, thank you for reminding me to savor the beauty of being in the moment.
More special spaces to savor in OurFESTUS area:
