December 2025
"Happiness is easier to find once we realize we do not have forever to find it." -Andrea Gibson
Hello friend,
One more month, and we put a pin in 2025.
On a macro level, this year has been all kinds of bonkers, but in my little neck of the woods, dare I say it’s been downright magnificent?
There’s been a lot of sugar, a little spice, and even a few dashes of sour along the way to keep me humble. Although between you and me, even the worst days were a better kind of horrible than what’s been dealt my way in the past, and I keep that touchstone of perspective tucked in real close.
I’ll fill out my annual Year-In-Review post next month, so I won’t hop up on a reflective soapbox quite yet, but it’s enough to note that I’m winding down this year in a braided feeling of peace, contentment, and satisfaction.
Not too shabby for a holiday season, if I do say so myself.
Soul Fitness Habit Tracker
It’s been a minute. Checking in with my…
Movement
For the first time in years, I stuttered on my yoga streak. Then I did it again a few days later, and then I skipped two days in a row a few weeks after that, and then another day was missed and ugh, y’all. Next thing I know, I’m stiff and I’m achy and I’m inflamed and increasingly tense throughout my back body and I can’t rest easy at night because my hips hurt, and then…and then, I gently lead myself back to my mat and remind myself that So Much gets better when the yoga is flowing. And I begin again. The time is always right to begin again.
Just two strength training sessions a week, Alex. I promise you you can find the time, energy, and right set of circumstances to answer that call. I promise you will be glad you did.
Here’s a trend worth noting: both our dogs, adorable though they may be, are tiny little winter wimps who are simply not game for two full walks a day when the weather gets fiesty. Result - my daily steps are decreasing precisely while my sweet treat intake is increasing. Uh oh, I think I’ve heard this one before, and I didn’t like the ending. Remedy - fire up that walking pad, lady. You are quite literally standing on the answer as you type about the problem. Remedy - walk anyway, leave the dogs at home. That’s what snow pants and snow boots are for. Remedy - move like you love yourself.
New sweatshirt procured in NYC; new snowpants procured on Black Friday
Nourishment IN my body
In addition to the yoga, another thing I’d started doing…then noticed a gigantic “oh wow, yes please” kind of difference…then stopped doing right before that stiff/achy/inflamed/tense cycle took over…is taking a daily internal elixir from Olive Tree People.
i70 is part of their “beauty from within” line, a hydroxytyrosol combined with low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid, fortified with lavender, blackcurrant, turmeric, camu camu, and elderberry. I’m meant to take a shot every morning on an empty stomach, and I’m eventually going to learn to love the taste of elderberry, I’m sure of it!
When I first researched it, I read some reviews that almost made me weep in anticipatory relief, so I decided to give it a whirl, and after a couple of weeks, I verbalized to James that I felt like a million bucks in my body - so much flow and ease! Such energy!
Then weeks went by with out it, I noticed the downturn, and now that I’ve started the habit back up again, I’m curious to see if the pain subsides. If so, I will do what it takes to ingrain the habit, because the relief of feeling good in one’s body cannot be overstated.
The joy of a house full of dogs also cannot be overstated.
Nourishment ON my body
Turns out, I think I like a little bit of everything when it comes to skin care. Turns out, that’s totally allowed. I’m still loving this cleanser from Geek and Gorgeous, and this Hyaluronic Moisture Mist and Soft Cream from Counter, but Oliveda has definitely got my attention these days.
Their website is confusing (ask me if you have questions!), but I’ve been using (and loving) the following serums/elixiers: F06 CellActive Serum, F83 HT + Vitamin C Serum (but never mix it with other serums, it’s THAT active!), F59 Corrective Serum (the internet dubbed this one “botox in a bottle” because it has a reputation for smoothing out angry 11s #iykyk) - I do think it has a softening effect on maturing skin), and F82 Green Retinol Face Elixir, helping me even out some of my redness.
What I like about Oliveda: they’ve been around for 20 years already in Europe (so their standards are the better, higher ones), they never use water as their primary ingredient, instead sourcing hydroxytyrosol from olives for that role, and they offer 365 days returns if you don’t love it.
Plus, while I do love Counter products, the truth is Oliveda is a much better bang for your buck, especially because you don’t use nearly as much of the products to gain the same coverage/protection. That’s what I think so far, anyway - I will keep you updated.
This is what I looked like the day I turned 51.
Sleep
Everyone has their own Thrifting Line in the Sand and mine is pajamas - I only buy/wear brand new pjs, and new pjs are how I supported my sleep this month.
Two new pair, yay, both checking my cute, quality, and cotton boxes. One set is perfect - short sleeves, long pants, cute pattern, and made of that naturally cool, breathable modal cotton, and the other is a cotton blend from the Taylor Swift Eras collection lol. That top is long sleeved, which nah, but the cut of the pants is dreamy and I’m obsessed with the pattern.
I had to laugh at a comment I saw on some social media post, outraged at the idea that anyone would pay several tens of dollars for clothes they were “just” going to sleep in. First of all, I LIVE in my pajamas, not just sleep in them, but I immediately thought to myself, I bet I can guess which phase of life you’re NOT in, because I will happily pay several tens of dollars and THEN SOME for pajamas that don’t sweat me awake in the middle of the night (“silky” polyester, I’m looking at you - forever banned!)
Space
Our space has been tremendously blessed by the Secondhand Shopping Powers That Be lately - during the first two days of November alone, we scored a new coffee table, a(nother) new dining table & set of six chairs (for those of you playing along at home, that brought us to a grand total of FOUR dining tables and THREE sets of chairs scattered amongst our home)(too many)(in my defense, one table/set of chairs has since been sold on FB Marketplace for exactly what we paid for it last year, yay), a kitchen hutch, and a vintage wooden furniture piece designed for record storage.
Bringing it all home meant re-configuring the area that the holiday tree was soon going to need to fit, too, so we decided why re-organize twice, let’s just go for it and get that tree in the mix now. That was on November 1.
Initially I felt almost sheepish about it, feeling a compulsion to explain why to everyone who came over for November’s First Tuesday dinner, even though exactly zero people gave me any grief about it, but I’ll tell you what - I’ve loved having it up so much that I not only have no regrets…
…I also think I have a new rule! From now on, the tree, the garland, and anything else that lights up is coming to life the same weekend that daylight savings goes into effect. Having the extra sources of light as a counterbalance to the extra darkness felt borderline genius. Can’t believe I haven’t thought of it before now.
Sense of Connection
After attending a couple of informational orientation sessions at the (social-justice-minded) church I’ve been exploring, I’ve decided to remain a visitor for the time being instead of becoming a member, mostly because while I like everything about the church, and I do plan on continuing to nurture that relationship/part of my life, I recently became a member of my local League of Women Voters chapter, and am currently being trained to enter into jails and correctional facilities to help people register to vote. It feels good to be doing something concrete for the greater good, and I don’t want to spread myself too thin. Everything in its own time.
Food for Thought: 7 Ways to Build Confidence
adapted from the Design a Life You Love Planner
Be open to failure. It’s the best way to learn and never as devastating as we fear it might be.
Step into discomfort. They say magic happens right outside your comfort zone, and they are right. Start by taking small risks in safe places with safe people, and then keep taking them.
Say something positive. Watch that self-talk. For every negative thought you catch yourself thinking, offer a counterpoint with something positive - our inner monologue is the voice we listen to the most, so give it as many (or more) positive things to ponder.
Say it out loud. The first step to manifesting what you want is to acknowledge and ask for it. The Universe can’t deliver what you don’t order.
Celebrate small wins. We’re not glossing over losses or pretending there’s never room for improvement, we’re simply taking the time to acknowledge even our smallest steps forward because we know it all adds up in the end.
Practice gratitude. Confidence + gratitude = success.
Stop asking for permission. If we aren’t our own biggest hype-person, we can’t expect anyone else to be. The privilege of a lifetime is learning how to be our own best advocate and loudest cheerleader.
Creating a Shape Around December
Guiding Thought: Be grateful for this moment; this moment is your life.
Top Goal: Health, wealth, and friends to enjoy them with
Looking Forward to: staying open to the magic of the season, staying hydrated, seeing The Nutcracker, hosting a Favorites Thing tea party, First Tuesday dinner, having friends over for a football game, going caroling again this year, hosting my family for holiday celebrations, driving to Illinois to see the Swiftmas house lit up at night, the Eras documentary (!!), my massage, a lot of open time on the calendar at the bottom of December.
Main Focus: Re-engaging in daily yoga and daily I70 intake
Watching: I Like Me (Amazon Prime) the John Candy documentary; The Morning Show (Apple); Nobody Wants This (Netflix); Come See Me in the Good Light (Apple)
Reading: I finished all of the Tuesday Night Murder Club books, and moved onto the same author’s other book. Next up, 107 Days by Kamala Harris (for my online book club, which means WE GET TO MEET ONLINE WITH HER!!!!!!)
What I love about this time of year: hygge mentality, sauna sessions, fires in the fireplace, using only the holiday lights in the mornings, driving around at night to see all the lights, entertaining, gathering, presents!, plays and musicals and performances and ballets and concerts and all the holiday activities, soft clothes
Reflecting on: People have come into my life this year, and I am better for it, and other people have removed themselves from my life this year, and guess what - I am better for it. The way I see it, it is nothing short of a gift when people excuse themselves from your orbit. Always, always, always. The people who are good for you, who are worthy of knowing you, will stay. The ones who leave are a blessing once they are gone. Bless and release.
I have this friend who: owns a really delicious, third-generation, family-owned bakery. If you live, work, or visit anywhere near West Allis, Wisconsin, trust me when I tell you to visit Aggies Bakery. You will not be disappointed.
I’m sending you and yours all my very best this season. May it be exactly what you need it to be.
I’m wishing you presence, steadfastness, peace, happiness, holiness, health, and protection from anything or anyone who wishes you anything but love.
And so it shall be.
See you next month, beauty.
