Preparing Our Hearts- Not Just Our Homes

Less Hustle, More Holy

Every year, the holiday season arrives with bright lights, long to-do lists, and the quiet pressure to make everything feel “magical.” Somewhere between the shopping carts and the glitter, many of us lose sight of the simple beauty we were meant to hold close.

If the holidays feel heavy for you, you’re not failing the season—you’re responding honestly to the life you’ve lived, to the grief, the survival, the moments, and the memories your body remembers.

This year, I’m taking a softer look at our traditions—not abandoning them, but asking what really brings peace in a season that can be both beautiful and painfully tender.

I’m craving less tension. Less spending. Less performance. More stillness. More connection. More room for faith.

Jesus wasn’t born into perfection—He was born into humility- and that truth keeps reframing everything for me.

What if the most sacred thing we offer this season isn’t a perfectly decorated home— but a calm spirit? What if preparing for Christmas looks more like preparing our hearts for peace?

I’m learning we don’t have to do everything we’ve always done. We can light one candle instead of twenty. Bake one recipe and savor it. Say no to what drains us. Say yes to what restores us.

Traditions should serve our souls—not the other way around. When traditions begin to feel heavy, it’s okay to loosen our grip.

When I strip away the excess, I find space again for what matters most: Emmanuel—God with us. Not a season of pressure… but a presence of peace.

This year, our holidays will be quieter. More prayer. More walks. Fewer store runs. More gratitude. Fewer expectations.

Maybe that simplicity is where the real beauty has been hiding all along.

Gentle Reflection Prompts

• What would it look like for you to celebrate with more peace and purpose this year?

• Which traditions feed your spirit—and which might you lovingly release?

If this season feels heavy for you—grief, loneliness, family pain, or overwhelm—you don’t have to carry it alone.  I currently have availability for individual or small group coaching sessions for anyone who would like support through the holidays with a trauma-informed life coach who truly understands.

You are allowed to seek support. You are allowed to want peace. You are allowed to choose what sustains you. You deserve kindness here, too. You don’t have to carry this alone.