Happy New Year!! Happy 10th Day of Christmas 🎄 ...??

Well, Winter's Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, the New Year's and even Hanukkah have come and gone. 

 Do you know what's still going strong though?  The 12 Days of Christmas!  So if you celebrate or slightly observe these days, then Happy 10th Day to you!  If I can, I'll check to see if this day is associated with anything in particular. (Update:  It isn't. 😁)

If you're like me and thought that the 12 Days of Christmas were before 12/25, then you may wish to have a look at this video on the 12 Days of Christmas.

So far, for 2025, I haven't set any new goals/resolutions apart from intending on using gift cards from past holidays and birthdays.  For the most part, I feel like my goals are similar to past years--exercise more consistently, have a better sleep schedule, buy some new clothes, declutter my space, etc.--so I don't feel a strong need to create drastically new ones.

I've been watching some YouTubes on goal setting from time-to-time just to feel some New Year's energy.⚡

When things settle down, and as backwards as it may seem, I may revisit my TTBC series and more calmly do the practices as appropriate.

How is 2025 going for you?  Are you setting or avoiding NY's resolutions this year?  Are there any habits that you set from past years that you are still continuing or wish to revive?

Whatever your answers, I hope that you're doing and staying well. 🤩

This just seems like a holiday song, non?

Trying to Be Christmassy 🎄 Wrap-up

Merry Cbristmas 🎄 and Happy Hanukkah to you all!  Thank you all for following along with this series.  We've explored everything from mindfulness and holiday traditions to creating a rap song and getting more active.  I hope that you all appreciate yourselves for having finished this series. Do feel free to revisit the practices as I know that a lot was crammed into what's already a busy time of the year.

Hopefully, if applicable, sometime this month, you will also be able to decompress and slowww down..

Below's the wrap-up for today.

Inspiring Holiday Song: The Christmas Song

Concluding Questions:

How has this series helped you to redefine or deepen your understanding of what brings you joy during the Christmas/holiday/winter season?

What is one practice or activity from the series that you plan to continue or explore further?

Today's Affirmation:

I celebrate the magic of Christmas (Hanukkah/the holidays, winter solstice), both within myself and in the world around me.

Trying to Be Christmassy🎄 Day 13 of 13

Happy Christmas Eve and congrats for making it to this final day of our Trying to Be Christmassy series!  👑 While tomorrow, there'll be a post to wrap-up this series, this lesson is the end of the 13 Days of TTBC.  

Well done on making it to this final day in the midst of your other life responsibilities and holiday activities.  Again, even if you just listened to a holiday song or skimmed an affirmation, you can still acknowledge yourself for participating in this series.  😊

Below are the activities for today.  Whether you do these activities or not, just be sure to be present to the day.  

Inspiring Quote: "For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it, if only we're brave enough to be it." — Amanda Gorman

Inspiring Holiday Instrumental:  "O'Tannenbaum/O'Christmas Tree"

Holiday Activities: At the start or end of the day, take a moment to reflect on the things you are grateful for this Christmas Eve. This could be appreciating the warmth of your home, the company of loved ones, or making it home safely after a busy day.

Reflection Tip: Take a few moments throughout the day to pause, breathe, and be present to the present moment. Notice the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings of the day.

Creative Writing Exercise:  Assuming the perspective of a large Christmas tree in a shopping mall, what are 3 kind wishes that the tree would give to the shoppers passing by, e.g., 'Wishing them more time, better parking spaces, shorter lines', etc.?  If the tree saw you, what are 3 compliments/reassurances that it would give you on Christmas Eve?

Affirmations:

I release any stress or frustration about today.

I am present and grateful for this Christmas Eve.

I welcome the joy and anticipation of Christmas Day.

What are 5 things that you learned about yourself/the holidays over these past 13 days?

Trying to Be Christmassy 🎄 Day 12 of 13

Happy Monday and welcome to Day 12 of our Trying to Be Christmassy series.  We're nearing the end of this series and the beginning of Christmas.  If you haven't had a chance to do the practices in this series, you can always revisit them when time permits.  Perhaps you can do it as your version of the 12 13 Days of Christmas.

Inspiring Quote: "Find joy in the simple things."

Holiday Song: "My Favorite Things"

Holiday Activity: Take a photo capturing a favorite holiday moment, item, outfit or view.

Reflection Tip: Reflect on your favorite holiday foods or activities. If relevant, is there a way that you can make those foods or activities healthier?  Also, if you're going to indulge during the holidays how can you do so mindfully and with appreciation for the experience?

Creative Writing Exercise:  Make a list of your favorite ways to enjoy the holidays and/or to take care of yourself during the winter season.

Affirmations:

I appreciate the beauty of simple joys.

I am present and mindful in each moment.

I nourish my body and mind with healthy choices.

What were your 3 favorite moments from today?  

Trying to Be Christmassy 🎄 Day 11 of 13

The Christmas train 🚆 is fast approaching!  It'll be Christmas 🎄 in just 3 days.  I hope you all are doing well and are managing to stay on top of your holiday activities.  If not, no worries.  After all, some activities can be ignored, rescheduled or delegated.  For Day 11, we're gonna get a li'l sentimental as we'll be doing activities inspired by the Wham! holiday song "Last Christmas".  

Side note:  This is the 40th anniversary 🕯️ of the bittersweet song.

Inspiring Quote: "Sometimes, good things fall apart so better things can fall together."

Inspiring Holiday Song:  "Last Christmas" 

Holiday Activity: You can choose between sitting still for 5 minutes in silence or you can listen to "Last Christmas" while you work on decluttering at least 3 items that you are ready to let go of or that you simply haven't gotten around to decluttering.  A decluttering tip:  You can always take a photo of a sentimental item if you wish to have a memento of it.

Reflection Tip: Reflect on past relationships and identify any lingering emotional baggage. Consider journaling about your feelings, practicing forgiveness (both of yourself and others), reflecting on the lessons learned and focusing on the positive aspects of your present life. The song's theme of giving your heart to someone new can also be interpreted as being open to new experiences and emotional growth.  (See also the bonus video below.)

Creative Writing Exercise: Write a letter to your past self about what you've learned from past relationships, or write a letter to your future self about the fulfilling and meaningful life that you're creating for yourself. 

Affirmations:

I am worthy of love and happiness.

I am learning and growing from my past experiences.

I am open to new experiences and positive connections.

What are you most relieved to have released today? This could be an item, an emotion or an activity.

Bonus video:

Trying to Be Christmassy 🎄 Day 10 of 13

Greeting to you all and welcome to Day 10 of our series.  There are only 4 days left until Christmas so I hope that you all are progressing well with your holiday responsibilities, as well as, decompressing as needed.  While yesterday we reflected on holiday traditions, today we're going to focus on something which can be easily shortchanged during the holidays: physical health.  Below are today's song and the activities for today.  

Inspiring Quote: "Investing in your health is the best gift you can give yourself this holiday season."

Inspiring Holiday Song: "Jingle Bell Rock" 

Holiday Activity: Create a festive playlist or enjoy the TTBC playlist and dance to your favorite holiday tunes.  (See also videos below.)

Reflection Tip: Reflect on how you can get more movement or exercise in during the holidays.  Why is it important for you to exercise especially during the holiday season?

Creative Writing Exercise:  Describe a healthier and calmer version of yourself at the end of the holiday season.    

Affirmations:
I am filled with joy and vibrant health.

Daily, my health is improving.

I am gratefully prioritizing my health this holiday season.

What's one thing that you will do to boost your health this holiday season?  *If relevant, be sure to schedule the activity and to create a reminder.  

Bonus videos:

Trying to Be Christmassy🎄 Day 9 of 13

Happy Friday and welcome to Day 9 of our Trying to Be Christmassy 🎄 series!  Today we're going to learn a bit about how other cultures celebrate Christmas as well as reflect on our holiday traditions.  Below is a video of today's song with the lyrics included in case you should wish to singalong.  🎤

(Oh, and if anyone's wondering, from yesterday's activity, the rap songs that I've had AI create about the holidays have been pretty awful.  😁)

I'm learning from doing this series as I just learned yesterday that the singer of "Feliz Navidad", José Feliciano, is actually Puerto-Rican and not Mexican as I had assumed.  (He and his wife currently live in Connecticut.)

Inspiring Quote: "Traditions aren't just things we do, they're the threads that connect us to our past and to each other."

Inspiring Holiday Song: "Feliz Navidad" 

Holiday Activity: Check online for how Christmas/another holiday is celebrated in other parts of the world or a specific country.  (Bonus videos below.)  Also, if you know someone who'd be willing to share how Christmas or another holiday is observed in their country or culture, ask them.  **Do be mindful when asking as some people may not feel comfortable sharing about their holiday traditions/culture.

Reflection Tip: Reflect on your holiday traditions.  Which traditions do you enjoy the most and which traditions could you adjust or remove if you no longer enjoy them?

Creative Writing Exercise: Imagine a character who wakes up in another country whose holiday traditions you've checked on.  Briefly describe how they spend Christmas (or another holiday/observation) in the country.  You can focus on a specific moment in the morning/evening. 

Affirmations:

I embrace diverse holiday traditions and learn about different cultures.

I honor my traditions while being open to positive change.

I celebrate connection and goodwill during the holidays.

What surprised you the most about how other countries or a specific country observe Christmas/another holiday?

or

What can you wear for the holidays to help you better connect with the holidays, your culture or family traditions?

Bonus videos:

Disclaimer:  The production quality varies.