As the "busy" holiday season approaches, I'm hearing a lot of people talk about the stress that they feel in their lives, so I figured I'd write a little bit about stress. Most of us grew up thinking stress is the enemy, something to try to get rid of and vanquish. The thing ruining our cortisol levels and creating toxins in the cells and killing them. While it's true that chronic stress can absolutely wear you down, the fuller story can be more empowering. Stress is NOT always harmful. In many cases, stress is a built in biological performance booster which can be a cool force to our advantage. The problem is not stress itself but how we interpret it and how long it stays turned on. Here are some different ways to think about stress: 💪Stress is Not the Enemy Stress is a natural activation signal from your nervous system. It increases alertness, sharpens attention, and helps you rise to a challenge. This sounds like a good thing, right? Short term stress can -increase focus -boost motivation -improve memory -sharpen problem solving -strengthen resilience -create meaning, because we only stress about what matters When we interpret stress as a resource/partner rather than a threat, your body responds differently. The narratives that we create matter. Our cardiovascular system functions better and our nervous system shifts into a more adaptive mode. A lot of research backs up the idea that our mindset really does matter significantly. Your mindset acts as a lens through which you see the world. It impacts what you notice and how you interpret different situations. This takes place through the confirmation bias so it's imperative to look at what we believe about ourselves and the world because we have the endency to look for information that matches our beliefs. 💥 When Stress Becomes Harmful Stress becomes destructive when -it lasts too long -you feel trapped -you feel unsupported -you have no sense of control/level of autonomy -your body never gets a recovery window

December brings a lot of noise — and most people get swept up in it. But the end of the year isn’t about perfection. It’s about clarity. Before you think about 2026, pause and ask: “What do I actually want the next year of my life to feel like?” Start there. Not resolutions. Not pressure. Just honesty. What’s one thing you want more of next year?

We rush toward resolutions but rarely pause to honor what we’ve already done. Reflection turns experience into wisdom. Before the year closes, take five minutes to write down: 💫 What you’re proud of. 💫 What you’ve outgrown. 💫 What you’re grateful for. That awareness will shape everything that comes next. How are you closing this chapter intentionally? The pause before the next chapter is where clarity lives. 👉 What’s one lesson from this year you’re carrying forward?

For years, “rest” felt like something I had to earn — a reward for finishing the list. But the list never ends. Now I rest because I want to show up well — not because I’ve done enough. And that shift changed everything. Resting isn’t laziness; it’s leadership over your energy. When’s the last time you rested because you wanted to, not because you crashed? Stillness is where strength rebuilds. 👉 What helps you quiet the guilt when you take time off?

It’s easy to get caught in a cycle of work, rest, repeat — but what if your everyday life felt more like the getaway? Freedom isn’t about quitting everything; it’s about creating systems and habits that support who you want to be. It starts with small decisions: ☀️ Saying no when your plate’s full. 🍃 Scheduling time for creativity. 💬 Surrounding yourself with energy-givers, not drainers. You deserve a life that feels nourishing — not just “manageable.” What would more freedom look like in your current season? Your routine should serve you, not suffocate you. 👉 What’s one shift you can make this month to bring more ease into your days?