Ends and Beginnings
Thoughts after returning from a revitalizing break.
Happy New Year Everyone!
This holiday season, I made an intentional decision to step away and unplug from the constant news hum, social media, writing, and my busy schedule to embrace the warmth of uninterrupted family time. It was a choice that felt both calming and necessary—a chance to reclaim presence in a world that thrives on distraction.
Slow Down to Recharge
With school and sports on winter break, our homeschool schedule naturally shifted, and we embraced a more relaxed rhythm. My mother arrived to spend a few weeks celebrating with us, adding to the joy of the season. Between Christmas festivities throughout the month, our daughter’s beloved advent ritual, and the shared celebrations of both my mother’s and my birthdays in early December, we had an abundance of reasons to feel grateful.
Enjoying Unstructured Time
Time slowed, revealing layers of connection often overlooked in the daily hustle. I baked over a dozen sourdough breads to share with my family and friends. Despite the unpredictable winter weather, my mother and I enjoyed daily walks traversing the neighborhood hill country - some days donning light layers and sunglasses with sunshine’s warm embrace, while other days we bundled up against the cold. With hours on unfettered play time, my daughter spent most of it crafting, creating artwork, and devouring audiobooks. My husband found peace in his routine of reading, working, and daily workouts, driven by his steadfast pursuit of personal growth. Together, we cherished the ease of an unstructured rhythm.
An Advent Ritual That Delights
When our daughter was an infant, I stumbled upon a beautiful tradition while browsing the children’s book section in a thrift store during the holiday season. A fellow mama shared her ritual of gifting her child a book each day to celebrate Advent. As a family of avid readers, I found the idea brilliant and immediately adopted it for that year’s Christmas season. In the beginning, the collection consisted of picture and board books we would read to our daughter, who also loved to explore (and chew) them. Over the years, as she grew, so did the complexity of the books—from board books to picture books, then to short stories rich with illustrations, and eventually to chapter books with increasingly smaller print. This tradition has become something our daughter eagerly anticipates and deeply cherishes every year.
Everlasting Benefits
The joy of advent book gifting isn’t limited to the holiday season either—it’s a way to give a child the joy of a home library they can explore for reading and imagination anytime. A collection of children’s books at home not only supports a child’s education, but also creates opportunities for families to bond through read-aloud moments. And it doesn’t have to break the bank! I spend the year gathering used books from bookstores, garage sales, and thrift shops, and tuck them away until wrapping them just before December. Then, as my daughter outgrows books, I then regift books to other children or to our local library. Don’t delay, start collecting today!
Live with Intention
By unplugging, I was able to enjoy the most meaningful experiences by taking time to live fully and intentionally in the present moment, like making organic gnocchi from scratch with my daughter to enjoy a delicious home made meal with family and friends.
As I return to my work, I bring with me the lessons of the season: to pause, to cherish, and to realign with being present in the moment, to know that choices I make right now are what matters most.
Looking Ahead to 2025: A Year of Renewal and Hope
As the new year dawns, there’s a palpable sense of optimism in the air—2025 feels like a fresh chapter waiting to be written. For many of us, the turn of the calendar isn’t just symbolic; it’s a moment to reflect on where we’ve been and to set our sights on what’s ahead. This year carries the added anticipation of a new administration, sparking hope for meaningful change and renewed leadership.
With new beginnings comes the opportunity to align collective ambitions with personal goals. The promise of fresh perspectives and ideas in governance resonates with the same energy I feel as I approach my own work and life. There’s a shared aspiration to rebuild, innovate, and strive for better outcomes—not just for ourselves, but for our communities and the world at large.
Forging Ahead
For me, 2025 is a call to action: to double down on creativity, to seek out collaboration, and to invest in ideas that inspire growth. It’s about embracing the challenges ahead with the confidence that progress is possible, fueled by a spirit of unity and determination.
The hope for a better future isn’t just an abstract idea; it’s a commitment to taking the small, meaningful steps each day that move us closer to the world we envision. Whether through writing stories that spark conversations, nurturing relationships, or contributing to my community, I’m energized by the prospect of doing my part to make this year one of transformation and positivity.
Here’s to 2025—a year brimming with potential, guided by hope, and grounded in the belief that brighter days are not just possible but inevitable. Let’s make it count!
With love, health, and knowledge, may you live abundantly. See you again in the next post.
Warmly,
Brit-Simone
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Little Gems I Recommend
As we look ahead in 2025, don’t forget to take care of the memories of the past. This little plug and play gadget simplifies the backup and organization of photos and videos across multiple platforms. I love it!
Wow! We gave these tiny devices to my mum who just celebrated her 75th birthday and she stopped yelling when she talked. I didn’t realize how helpful these would be, not only for hearing, but also speaking, and so flippin affordable!
Traditionally January beckons new beginnings, fresh starts, and cleaning up the body, mind and spirit. One of the most important places to start working on your new health goals begins with supporting the gut microbiome. This supplement’s natural ingredients focus on eliminating bacterial overgrowth, restoring balance to your microbiome, and help your body heal itself from the inside out.