Life Lesson 59 | Adulting Challenges: Resilience when You're Struggling

You know, I've always been a little careful about saying happy holidays too broadly.

Not because I don't wish people happiness.

I do, deeply.

But because I've learned that this time of year can hold a lot of mixed emotions.

For some, holidays sparkle with anticipation, tradition, and connection.

But for others, they bring stress, exhaustion, loneliness, or memories that sting a little.

Or a lot.

If the holidays feel heavy for you, I just want to say this.

You're not broken, and you're not alone.

It's perfectly okay if you're not in a festive mood, if the noise and cheer feel like too much, or if you're just trying to get through the week.

Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to make a little space to breathe, to create your own rhythm in the middle of all that seasonal chaos.

For some, that means leaning into solitude, not as isolation, but as a gift.

Solitude gives us permission to exhale, to listen inwardly, and to rediscover what actually restores us.

So if you find yourself spending the day alone, or if you simply need to step away from the holiday swirl, here are a few ideas for filling that space with intention, warmth, and maybe even a spark of joy.

Let's start with something timeless, curling up with a good read.

Whether it's a novel, or a collection of essays, or one of those deep dive substat posts that sends you down a rabbit hole of new perspectives, reading can be a quiet act of companionship.

I'm a bit of a Substack superfan.

I love discovering voices from all over the world who write about everything from creativity to curiosity to the small moments that make us human.

As I'm doing household chores or driving across town to run an errand, one of my go-tos is the latest Audible book in my e-library so that I can multitask while enjoying a good You could also lean into a movie day.

I especially like this one during this time of year as the winter sets in and it's a chore to even venture outdoors.

There's something comforting about wrapping up in a blanket, pouring a mug of cocoa, losing yourself in the story.

I save all my sci-fi and dystopian binges, actually, for days when my husband's out and about.

It's my version of me time.

If you're feeling creative, the kitchen can be its own little sanctuary.

I love to bake when I have a quiet afternoon.