As I put up my inbox away message for the end of the year and start to reflect on 2024 with what brain capacity I have left, I can sum up this past year with the words “challenging” and also “grateful.” I really can not dive into reflection much more than that at this moment, but I did want to say THANK YOU to my incredible team and to this powerful community. This year was rough in a lot of ways for me personally, for this business specifically, and perhaps for you, dear reader. And I'm writing to say thank you, and also gently encourage you to take some time to rest and reset.
And with the incoming administration and general unknown, we're not necessarily screaming from the rooftops “2025 is going to be our year,” but I urge you, if you have the privilege to be able to, take some rest, take a break, so we can enter 2025 with a little more rested, grounded, and centered.
I have traditionally taken 2-4 weeks off towards the end of they year, at least for the past 3-4 years. As a craft fair producer, artist, creative, this season is slow, and so it allows me to comfortable nestle into the quiet of the winter. If this feels aligned for you, I encourage you to take a chunk of time off away from your business and away from the internet.
I thought I would share with you a little bit about how I format my break and how I reset for the new year.
Internet Detox:
I take at least 2 weeks off social media. I scrub IG, TT, Pinterest, and yes even FB marketplace off my phone. I also delete my Gmail app from my phone and put up an away message. This could feel scary to you. For me, it it feels like such a relief to be away from my phone and the constant outside feedback and allows me to turn intentionally inward and pick up intentional activities. I do find out how addicted I am during this time, however, as I pick up my phone and immediately feel stumped with what to with it. I do have to consciously train myself to find other activities besides scrolling.
Week One:
This is my rotting week. I allow myself to watch TV, to sit, to read, maybe I pull out a puzzle. I am also knitting my first hat. Also this is a holiday week, and we have a new niece arriving any second, so I'm sure our time will be spent doing some proper baby oogling.
Week Two:
I get antsy from rotting, so by week 2 I'm ready for projects. I have a couple of rooms in my apartment that I want to paint and some closets to re-organize. I have a pile of clothes that need mending and some fabric I want to play with. Maybe I pull out my sketchbook and do some still lives. Who knows!
Week Three:
By week 3 I am ready to think about my business again. My mind REALLY has to be ready for this, however, and I cannot force it. I might create a vision board, or write down major goals. Perhaps I do a little calendar planning, or just organize my office.
Week Four:
Sometimes by week 4 I'm ready to creep back to my desk, to send an email, but I really don't force this process. I actually pretty much cleared my calendar until Jan 10, so I have a little wiggle room. I try to carry the calm and centering I cultivated over break into my work practice. It will still be winter, so it is extra important to tend your hearth, tend your home, and move forward with intention.
This schedule is not hard and fast, I just find it to be my natural cycle of break, so I thought I would share it with you. If it feels aligned perhaps you adopt it, or perhaps you come up with your own break desires. Or maybe you go with the flow completely and just clear your cal.
But I do encourage you, if you are able, to take some time to turn inward, to celebrate your wins, to spend intentional time with your family, and your own thoughts. My hope for us as a collective, is that we can emerge in 2025 feeling rested, grounded, directional, and maybe have a little hope.
Thanks for everything, girl gang. I'll see you next year.
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