I love the tradition of showing up to the table in your pjs!!
There have been a few holiday films shot in my building and I always laugh as they plaster the grounds in fake snow in the summer months - fake snow feels just WRONG for so many reasons!
And, it looks as pathetic in real life as it does on camera. Yeah, usually they are filmed in the summer, but this was filmed in December 2022 for release the following year. We were just about to sit down and watch a Christmas movie when we got the call to come down. Why watch one when you can BE in one???
Step 3 and 4 are my go-tos! Saying no definitely comes easier especially in the late days of Fall phase around Day 25 through early Winter phase Day 3. If something like a party or gathering lands during that time frame, I just wait and see. I don't rsvp (sorry, not sorry) and that way I don't commit to something that later I agonize about whether I'm really up for it. It's just how I roll these days.
Too many times I found myself trying to rush which meant fighting my body to keep up with everyone else and the hustle of feeling late to everything just made me feel all tense inside. How's that holiday cheer?
On the other hand, during my best weeks between Day 7-Day 18 I try to make the most of it and remind myself I can do much more than I realize and remember to say yes! This brings me to your Step 7 of remembering to make it fun! While I have the energy rolling during my follicular and ovulatory phases this is the time to remember where my fun is and channel it.
Step 4- Carve out time. This one I have been practicing (it's ongoing) for 5+ years now. Looking at the calendar and setting aside one day each week to get a couple hours to myself. Go for a drive, go to a cafe alone with a journal, take a hike in nature, or find a sunny spot to do yoga and write. When I do this, I find I have so much more to give. Like noticeably more. Sometimes in late Fall Days 26-29, I just get downtime by going to bed for 30 minutes and just lying there. No phone, no reading, maybe journaling if I need to, but really it's about resting. Even if I don't sleep. And the best times are doing this rest between different events like before going to pick up my son from school, or before making dinner, or after grocery shopping.
I love that your tradition inolves PJ's. That's awesome!
I have 4 Thanksgivings planned over this coming week! Thankfully, I am in my Summer phase for it and will be in my early Fall by the last one, so I've given myself permission to bail early if I'm just freakin' Turky-ed out. I also have not commited to making anything to bring yet and will wait til I see what everyone else is bringing and decide what I feel like later. Takes so much pressure off signing up for things. This is a new one for me. And already I feel so much relief.
You deserve 4 Thanksgivings will all of the fixings AND and dessert that has calories that don't count after the last 2 months! Not sure how these 4 Thanksgivings invitations happened, but you're someone I'd love at my Thanksgiving table (in your PJs, of course!). It reminds me of the British TV show the Vicar of Dibley when Geraldine, the Vicar, gets invited to multiple Christmas dinners. Reading your comment for me was like a peaceful day flowing down a stream in a boat admiring the views and then looking back and realizing how far you've come. Yesterday, I was so sing-songy and was enjoying it while it lasted.
Gosh, I hate to say this, but I read your headline and thought, “Yes, if she’s taking a pause during the holidays, maybe I can too.” It’s been one of those “peri” weeks. I lost my mailbox key. I lost my wallet. Neither has been found. I feel like I’m dropping balls and the holidays have barely begun. But it also is a signal that I need to slow down and outsource where possible. And probably need to bump up on my hormones! I do have a plan to lighten my load on the writing, so at least I’m feeling good about that!
Yes! That was my first thought too. 'She's taking a break'. And my second thought was, 'good for her!' and then my third was, 'Bummer, I love reading her stuff and all that she is doing for women around the globe'.
I know that peri week or weeks. Losing everything especially my mind when the brain fog feels like an old England bridge painting.
It absolutely is a sign from your body to take some breathers where you can and see what needs to just go.
I'm also trying to see how I can get ahead of my writing so that there is a little less pressure to produce over the next few weeks.
My husband suggested that I write a few articles to have in my back pocket for when life gets busy and I could post those instead of skipping a week. But did I listen to him. No I did not. Now I wish I had those articles but we'll catch up. It's fun to write when we are inspired to do so.
I'll be taking time off if you need to hear that as a source for inspiration. I always love that sweet spot between Christmas and New Years where the world slows down. It's my goal to read on the couch during daylight hours. I've only been able to read in the evenings before bed.
It's so crazy how everything happens at once. I'm sorry all this stuff happened to you lately. I agree that sometimes the universe forces us to slow down if we don't take the time ourselves to do it. Take the time to refresh and recharge because we need you! We need your Substack! We need to continue to hear your message and all the goodness you put out into the world.
I love the tradition of showing up to the table in your pjs!!
There have been a few holiday films shot in my building and I always laugh as they plaster the grounds in fake snow in the summer months - fake snow feels just WRONG for so many reasons!
And, it looks as pathetic in real life as it does on camera. Yeah, usually they are filmed in the summer, but this was filmed in December 2022 for release the following year. We were just about to sit down and watch a Christmas movie when we got the call to come down. Why watch one when you can BE in one???
The footnote... thank you. Virtual hugs needed and appreciated.
Step 3 and 4 are my go-tos! Saying no definitely comes easier especially in the late days of Fall phase around Day 25 through early Winter phase Day 3. If something like a party or gathering lands during that time frame, I just wait and see. I don't rsvp (sorry, not sorry) and that way I don't commit to something that later I agonize about whether I'm really up for it. It's just how I roll these days.
Too many times I found myself trying to rush which meant fighting my body to keep up with everyone else and the hustle of feeling late to everything just made me feel all tense inside. How's that holiday cheer?
On the other hand, during my best weeks between Day 7-Day 18 I try to make the most of it and remind myself I can do much more than I realize and remember to say yes! This brings me to your Step 7 of remembering to make it fun! While I have the energy rolling during my follicular and ovulatory phases this is the time to remember where my fun is and channel it.
Step 4- Carve out time. This one I have been practicing (it's ongoing) for 5+ years now. Looking at the calendar and setting aside one day each week to get a couple hours to myself. Go for a drive, go to a cafe alone with a journal, take a hike in nature, or find a sunny spot to do yoga and write. When I do this, I find I have so much more to give. Like noticeably more. Sometimes in late Fall Days 26-29, I just get downtime by going to bed for 30 minutes and just lying there. No phone, no reading, maybe journaling if I need to, but really it's about resting. Even if I don't sleep. And the best times are doing this rest between different events like before going to pick up my son from school, or before making dinner, or after grocery shopping.
I love that your tradition inolves PJ's. That's awesome!
I have 4 Thanksgivings planned over this coming week! Thankfully, I am in my Summer phase for it and will be in my early Fall by the last one, so I've given myself permission to bail early if I'm just freakin' Turky-ed out. I also have not commited to making anything to bring yet and will wait til I see what everyone else is bringing and decide what I feel like later. Takes so much pressure off signing up for things. This is a new one for me. And already I feel so much relief.
Wow, this was a longer comment than I intended!
Happy Holidays, Shelby!
You deserve 4 Thanksgivings will all of the fixings AND and dessert that has calories that don't count after the last 2 months! Not sure how these 4 Thanksgivings invitations happened, but you're someone I'd love at my Thanksgiving table (in your PJs, of course!). It reminds me of the British TV show the Vicar of Dibley when Geraldine, the Vicar, gets invited to multiple Christmas dinners. Reading your comment for me was like a peaceful day flowing down a stream in a boat admiring the views and then looking back and realizing how far you've come. Yesterday, I was so sing-songy and was enjoying it while it lasted.
Check out Alana Oxford's A Modern Midlife Christmas Carol ... so relatable and well written :)
Thanks for the recommendation! I love love love book talk. Looked it up already and added it to my list. And, thanks for being here too!
I love that you invited your guests to come in PJs!
PJs or bust!
Gosh, I hate to say this, but I read your headline and thought, “Yes, if she’s taking a pause during the holidays, maybe I can too.” It’s been one of those “peri” weeks. I lost my mailbox key. I lost my wallet. Neither has been found. I feel like I’m dropping balls and the holidays have barely begun. But it also is a signal that I need to slow down and outsource where possible. And probably need to bump up on my hormones! I do have a plan to lighten my load on the writing, so at least I’m feeling good about that!
Yes! That was my first thought too. 'She's taking a break'. And my second thought was, 'good for her!' and then my third was, 'Bummer, I love reading her stuff and all that she is doing for women around the globe'.
I know that peri week or weeks. Losing everything especially my mind when the brain fog feels like an old England bridge painting.
It absolutely is a sign from your body to take some breathers where you can and see what needs to just go.
I'm also trying to see how I can get ahead of my writing so that there is a little less pressure to produce over the next few weeks.
Happy Holidays, Kristi!
My husband suggested that I write a few articles to have in my back pocket for when life gets busy and I could post those instead of skipping a week. But did I listen to him. No I did not. Now I wish I had those articles but we'll catch up. It's fun to write when we are inspired to do so.
I'll be taking time off if you need to hear that as a source for inspiration. I always love that sweet spot between Christmas and New Years where the world slows down. It's my goal to read on the couch during daylight hours. I've only been able to read in the evenings before bed.
It's so crazy how everything happens at once. I'm sorry all this stuff happened to you lately. I agree that sometimes the universe forces us to slow down if we don't take the time ourselves to do it. Take the time to refresh and recharge because we need you! We need your Substack! We need to continue to hear your message and all the goodness you put out into the world.
Thank you, thank you. This made my day!