Replacing hustling hard with rest and reflection
Let's opt out of the end-of-year frenzy
If I hear, “Let’s end the year strong” one more time I’m going to lose it. As if December requires extra hustle. I’m reminded of the scene in Ratatouille (best movie ever) when the scary food critic, Anton Ego, is coming to critique the restaurant. Linguine, the reluctant head chef, and the rest of the staff are stressed beyond belief. Everyone is saved when the sous chef, Colette, chimes in and plainly states: “Anton Ego is just another customer. Let’s cook!” I say December is just another month. Let’s rest! (And, yes, let’s please cook).
This year, I’m trying a new approach to wrapping up my year and I’ve been asking myself a few questions.
What if I stayed true to my personal value of ease and said no to stress and pressure?
What if I intentionally focused on separating my worth from my productivity?
What if I focused my year-end reflection on how I feel and not what I’ve done?
What if I made a list of what I will no longer do so I can make space for what I’d like to do instead of adding more to my plate?
The best thing I can do is break this cycle of hustling and usher in a new practice of pausing, reflecting, and finding ways to be present so I can experience life instead of feel like life is happening to me.
Truth time: my biggest goals for the rest of the year are to cook whatever I want, make lots of cookies to share with my friends and family, and to watch as many feel-good holiday movies as I can.
I’m saying yes to what will bring me comfort, joy, and peace, and no to anything that pulls me away from those things.
How will you pause and reflect this season? How will you release the pressure that December can often bring? What will you say no to? How will you honor yourself and prioritize what brings you comfort, joy, and peace?