The Holiday Season Is Here—Let’s All Take a Breath Together

Is it just me, or did this year somehow last five minutes and five centuries at the same time? Suddenly the holiday season is here, and we’re all looking around like, “Wait… how did we get back to the twinkle-light season already?” But honestly, I’m not mad about it. There’s something comforting about this time of year, like the world is collectively deciding to slow down just a little,even if the group chat is full of people panicking about shopping, travel plans, and who’s bringing what to the potluck.

One of the best things about the holidays is the vibe shift. The air gets colder, the drinks get warmer, and everyone secretly gives themselves permission to be a little softer. Even the most chaotic streets feel different when they’re lit up with sparkly decorations (and yes, I’m absolutely the person who will stand in the cold staring at a tree for way too long because it’s “so pretty”).

And honestly, as the year starts wrapping up, this is the perfect moment to check in with ourselves,not in a heavy, resolution-pressure kind of way, but in a “wow, I actually lived through all that” kind of way. Maybe this year was full of major wins. Maybe it was complicated. Maybe it was a mix of both, like most years tend to be. But here we are, making it to the finish line with more stories, more strength, and hopefully more appreciation for the small little joys.

Because that’s really what the holidays excel at: reminding us that joy isn’t always a grand gesture. Sometimes it’s…

• A goofy photo on your phone you forgot about.
• A night in with a cup of tea and zero plans.
• The way everything smells like cinnamon or pine or both.
• Someone surprising you with a thoughtful message.
• Laughing at a joke you’ve heard a hundred times but still find funny.

And let’s talk about letting things go because the end of the year is a great time to release all the mental clutter we’ve been carrying around. Old stress? Let it go. Unfinished goals you’ve been beating yourself up over? You still have time, and it’s absolutely fine to rewrite your game plan. That weird guilt about not doing “enough”? That can go too. You deserve to step into the new year without feeling like you’re dragging a suitcase full of emotional laundry behind you.

The holidays don’t have to be perfect. They don’t have to look like a movie or an influencer’s picture-perfect grid. They just have to feel true to you. Whether that means celebrating big with family, keeping it low-key, or spending the season creating your own traditions, the real magic comes from being present in the moment.

So as we countdown to a brand-new year, here’s to more slow mornings. More laughter with people who get you. More memories that feel like warmth. More hope for what’s next.

And here’s to you,making it through the chaos, the surprises, the messy parts, and the beautiful ones too.

Happy Holidays, and may the end of this year feel like the deep breath you’ve been waiting to take.

Always Stay Warped and Twisted as Ever,

Eve