Hello, you. And Happy Holidays!
The turkey dinners have been eaten (if you’re American) and the first Sunday in Advent is now upon us. And that means only one thing… it is officially the beginning of the festive winter season!
This year, like so many before, I find myself looking for ways to fill my soul as the holidays begin. To not just let these festive days fly by without creating some slow space where I can simply sit in the stillness and magic of it all. I also find myself wondering if there is any way I can share these quiet moments with you.
In the past, I’ve shared reflections on my blog, created photo challenges, written posts inspired by a daily oracle card practice, and last year, I did Blogmas - a daily blog post from December 1 - December 21 (the winter solstice).
None of those things felt quite right this year, though. I wanted something simple, yet meaningful. And I realized the other day that I want to focus on writing this year. A photo challenge didn’t feel right. (though, never fear, photos will always accompany my writing - ‘cuz that’s just who I am). Plus, I wanted to journey all the way through the winter season, quietly celebrating all of the festivals, moments, and traditions that inspire me. Really giving time + space to sink into each ritual, tradition, and celebration as it passed. Hoping that we will feel like we are on this slow, soulful journey together.
And I think I’ve come up with just the thing.
I am slowing down this season by writing holiday notes to you. They will be my way of celebrating many of the traditions, rituals, and festivals that people have used to mark holy days, honor the passing of the seasons, remember that hope is still alive, find meaning in annual traditions, and cross over into a new calendar year. I want these holiday notes to be a simple pockets of peace in our winter celebrations. A few moments throughout the dark, cold, silent winter to settle into our soul and slow our pace for just a few minutes. And, I felt the pull to come here, to Substack, so I can write directly to you.
So, no matter what you celebrate, no matter your religion or spirituality, no matter who you are, you are welcome to join me from today until the beginning of February. I’ll be sending out a little holiday note every now + then, inviting us to celebrate a slow, soulful winter together.
We’ll move through Advent - a season of waiting, follow the phases of the moon - celebrating 2022’s last full and new moon, cross over the winter solstice, make our way through the 12 days of Christmas, welcome in a new year, follow the light of the star of Epiphany, rest deep in the quiet energy of January, and shift into a new season on a cold February night.
I cannot wait to sit down and write to you. Nothing fancy. Nothing complicated. And hopefully a few relevant musings that allow us to slow down and bring some soul back into these most magical, sacred, difficult, festive weeks ahead.
With that, I’ll end my note on this first Sunday in Advent. As we cross into the holiday season, I am reminded to allow these next few weeks of deep darkness, before the winter solstice + Christmas, be a slow time of stillness + preparation, of pondering, wondering, listening, and hoping.
Here’s to keeping it slow and simple all season long.
I’ll be in touch soon. Lots of holiday love to you.
xoxo. liz.