Winter Break

Hi there,

School breaks and anxiety used to go hand in hand for me. I would feel so overwhelmed that one year, I completely blocked out a two-week break. 😅

These days, I actually look forward to long breaks. I’ve learned to put fear in its place and make room for plenty—or nothing at all.

Here’s how I’m staying grounded in my rhythms, even in the midst of this week’s winter break.

Resting

An invitation to slow down long enough to hear what your mind, body, and heart are telling you.

Physical therapy is the one appointment I’ve honored this week. I genuinely look forward to my 45 minutes with John, twice a week. I feel centered, held, and just a little fussed over.

After reporting my pain level (hovering around a two), I warm up on the stationary bike. I intentionally leave my phone in my coat pocket, close my eyes, and pedal. Five minutes of whirring pedals and occasional chatter.

Five minutes to hear myself. My breath slows, my mind clears, and my body feels ready to integrate what’s next. This week, those quiet minutes surfaced two people to check on and the topic for my next Instagram video.

Remembering

An invitation to reconnect with your brilliance - the wisdom, creativity, and magic within and around you.

The last multi-day school break was in late July, just before the school year began. It marked the culmination of a beautiful summer, and I wanted to honor it with presence. I reflected on LinkedIn at the time: “When I became an entrepreneur, I questioned whether I could still honor a summer pause…This year, I didn’t take the full month of July off. I took just two weeks. But I treated them with more intention than ever before.” That intention turned ordinary moments into sources of renewal—like a humid Wednesday morning at Sweetwater Creek State Park, one of the places where I commune with God and myself. Bringing my children there might seem counterintuitive, but their presence offered a fresh lens on a path I’ve walked countless times.

This week, a known path felt new again when I met up with a longtime friend (we’ve been birthday twins since high school) and her five kids. Our history anchored a day of play and adventure that lit up both us and our children.

Recasting/Realizing

An invitation to imagine the life you desire and pursue it with joy as your compass.

I’m excited to keep exploring the power of a break…now, with kiddos in tow. The community aspect feels especially rich and full of possibility.

The next school break is already on the horizon as we welcome spring. I imagine it mirroring the season—fresh, bright, grounded, unexpected, and beautiful. Seeing the ordinary as extraordinary will continue to guide us.

I’d love to hear: what hacks or rituals help you navigate extended breaks with more grace and ease?

Joyfully,

Elandria