Halloween is over. Time to put away the pumpkins and put up the Christmas trees! For many of us, the holiday season brings joy and memories of childhood delight, time with loved ones, and special holiday traditions. There are times in our lives, however, where these seasons seem cloaked with pain and sadness. We may …
Holidays
Struggling with Singleness During the Holidays
I’ve put off writing about the topic of singleness for a long time. It’s something I’ve felt I should write about for a while. When I saw that it was on my schedule to write about this week, I thought, “Hmm, maybe I’ll write about something else instead.” But I decided to do what I’m …
A Reflection on Holiday Cards
I love a good holiday card. Growing up, my sisters and I would eagerly comb through the mail each day, looking for cards from friends and family both near and far, and take turns opening each card. There were the cards we looked forward to every year: those from our best friends’ families, the card …
Friendships and Marriage
I’ve never been big on Valentine’s Day. (You’re probably wondering why I’m writing about Valentine’s Day in the summertime, but hang with me…I promise I have a point!) Even when I was dating someone in the month of February, I always felt the sentiment of the holiday to feel a bit…forced. I felt I had …
Setting Intentions for the New Year
I gave up setting New Year’s resolutions a long time ago.They were never really that great (mostly about changing some aspect of my body rather than self-acceptance and appreciating the healthy body I’ve already got), I never really stuck to them (I’m not sure any diet I ever tried made it past January), and I …
Tips for Surviving Holiday Blues
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! But what if it isn’t? Many folks find themselves with a case of the blues during the holiday season for a variety of reasons. It can serve as a reminder of grief, for those who sat around our Christmas tree last year, but are no longer with …