December has always felt like a whirlwind to me—a time filled with holiday gatherings, year-end commitments, and the sense that there’s always just one more thing to do. For years, my approach was to push through, head down, determined to handle it all. But I’ve realized that this often left me drained, and sometimes even sick, by the time the New Year rolled around. Last year, I spent the holiday break on the couch recovering from COVID—my body forcing me to stop after weeks of nonstop effort.
This year, I’m trying something different: I’m leaning into creativity as a way to restore myself amid the busyness. Not grand, ambitious projects—just small, joyful moments of making. A quick hand stitch on a quilt. Snapping a photo of winter light filtering through bare branches. Wrapping a gift with an extra bit of care.
These tiny acts of creativity feel like a lifeline. They’re not just a break from the chaos—they’re a reminder that joy and beauty can be found even in the busiest times. And they’re often enough to fill my well so I can keep going.
If you’re feeling the rush of the season, I encourage you to pause, even for just a few minutes, and find a small creative act that speaks to you. Perhaps it’s rearranging a few flowers in a vase, trying a new twist on a favorite recipe, or pulling out your sketchbook for five quiet minutes of drawing. Whatever it is, let it be an offering to yourself—one that restores you and reminds you of the joy in creating.
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