Tis the Season…
Happy Holidays, beautiful people!
Does anyone else like to pick up extra jobs during the holiday season? There’s something about witnessing the hustle and bustle of the general public that energizes me. This is probably why I love NYC so much (call me crazy if you want— to each their own!).
Lately, I’ve been working hours at Bailey's Produce and Nursery Tree Lot, selling Christmas trees. How fun is that? It’s my favorite thing to see Christmas lovers joyously inspecting the trees to find “the one.” The joy is contagious! Even my roommate and I giggled via video chat as we scanned each tree for the perfect size and height to fit in our home. It was like speed dating trees!
The sweetness of the holidays is like a rare nectar. But along with the joy, I also notice the heavy eyes of those holding their breath as they check out at the register. I hear the stories of missed loved ones and feel their pain as they wish for just one more Christmas. I see stressed mothers barely holding it together, embarrassed fathers picking the cheaper tree, and children holding back tears as their parents say, “Sorry, honey, not this year.”
The holidays can be tough for everyone in some way, shape, or form. Whether it’s missing connection, stressing about finances, or adjusting to the season's changes, everyone has their own ebbs in the flow. I carry my own personal pains, too.
What I have found most supportive during this time is connection, crying, and remembering. I call friends and family when I feel lonely. I journal and cry when I feel sad. I remind myself of what I do have and what I can accomplish when I feel limited. When it’s really tough, and I feel heavy in my head, I always call a friend or strike up a conversation with someone in public. Sometimes, all it takes is one word to shift your entire mood.
What supports you when you’re struggling?
This time of year is hard for so many people. Remember to love yourself a little extra. Drink your water. Share your kindness with someone, even when you think you have nothing to offer. Your presence alone provides purpose. Find your joy! There is always plenty to go around, and if you can find it in the hard times, then you’ll find it in any moment.
Remember: this moment, too, shall pass.
Happy Holidays, beautiful people.
Written with love,
Kala
