We’re officially entering the happiest season of all, and I don’t know about you, but I’m devoted to making it the healthiest as well. Because why can’t it be both?
Why does it always have to be “or”?
Happy or healthy.
Eating the pumpkin pie or making progress.
Enjoyment or discipline.
Sleeping in or showing up.
Celebrating or staying on track.
I’m here to remind you it doesn’t have to be one or the other. “AND” can and does exist in your life. It just takes a perspective twist, story edit, or plot twist (depending on what you want to call it) to live it.
This holiday, what if you lived more out of the AND? You committed to your health AND your happiness. And you proved you can take care of others AND yourself. You can be festive, have fun, AND still make progress.
In fact, this is the secret sauce. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why can’t I do the thing I know I should… the thing I want?” THIS IS WHY. You’ve turned it into a moral dilemma, where one choice makes you good, and the other makes you bad. So you get stuck, putting everything good into separate boxes and forcing yourself to pick one. But those boxes don’t need to exist.
This year, we’re getting rid of the boxes, AND we’re choosing to embrace all that is available.
To enjoy the holidays AND live out your resolutions long before January rolls around.
That’s exactly what we’re doing inside the Holiday Walking Club. Check your inbox Wednesday when the club opens and let me help you create the AND in your life. Not just by teaching you how to do it… but helping you live it so you can experience it for yourself.
Until then… permission granted to live out your own AND.
November story edit:
I feel some resistance to the belief that you don’t have to wait until January to create the change. You can do it now. And I know why you’re thinking it. Because again, you don’t think that you can have both… space and time to enjoy the holidays AND the commitment to the things you want to change.
BUT let me remind you THIS IS THE ONLY WAY IT WILL EVER WORK.
There is nothing special about January. It might entice you with a clean slate, but if you can’t do it now, you won’t do it then. At least not for very long.
So let me help you with a very specific story edit from the month.
If your old story sounds like this:
The holidays are a write-off.
I’ll enjoy myself now and get back on track in January.
Try this story edit:
I actually don’t need to wait for the new year to take care of myself. Every day I have the opportunity to do that right now, AND I can do it while still enjoying the holidays. I choose to do one small thing each day that nourishes me and do it with holiday cheer.
This month’s practice:
Whenever you catch yourself saying “I’ll start in January,” pause and ask, What makes me believe I should wait? And what is one action I can take now that proves I can do it today?
Don’t make it hard. LET IT BE EASY (because it is).
November Mind Edits:
What if it can’t?
But WHAT IF IT COULD?
I say this because I know this… It’s easy to get stuck in “I can’t.” Honestly, I think we spend more time speaking about what we can’t do over our lives than what we can. And I’m not even saying you have to do it all on your own, but the I can’t, I haven’t, I couldn’t, or I don’t know, are holding you back more than you realize.
Sometimes, I think we want it that way. Not because we actually do, but because our nervous system doesn’t have the capacity to hold and live out of the “I CAN.”
Which is why you can’t just expect yourself to flip from I can’t to I can right away. I can’t is a familiar pattern, and it has become safe for your body. That’s the only reason the negativity has any chance of sticking. You’ve found comfort there.
Just like I found comfort in pain.
But it doesn’t have to stay that way. You just have to train your body to be safe in something different. The first step to that is contemplation.
Open up to the idea that there is always a different way to see it.
When you feel yourself saying, “I can’t.” “I couldn’t.” “I haven’t.” “I don’t think I’m able.”
Contemplate…but what if you did? What if you can?
Then let yourself rest on the idea. No pressure. No judgment. Just contemplation.
I think it’s one of our hidden superpowers. Try it for yourself and contemplate a different way of seeing, thinking, or acting in your life.
Action: The next time you hear “I can’t,” just ask… but what if I could?
November Soul Edits:
I might be a squeaky wheel in these story edits, but I’m SUPER passionate about them. Because more than a diet change or an exercise habit, the single most impactful thing you’ll do is change your story. It’s literally the work of God. Redeeming our stories.
As I’ve been thinking about these story edits, one Bible story that comes to mind is the story of the 12 spies Moses sent in to scout out the Promised Land. You can find it in Numbers 13 (definitely worth a read).
Moses had led God’s people out of Egypt, and on the verge of entering the Promised Land, he sent 12 spies ahead to report on what they’d find.
When the spies returned, they had good news. The land was rich, fertile, and “flowing with milk and honey.” They even brought back some bounty.
BUT ten of the twelve also reported some bad news. They saw the good, but they couldn’t get beyond the negative. Ultimately, they made the negative greater than the good, claiming the people and cities were too big and powerful to be conquered. They even called themselves grasshoppers in comparison.
And YET that was only ten perspectives. Two saw it completely differently. They trusted God, saw the good, and urged the people toward what they’d been promised.
They all saw the same land, and the same “giants,” yet came home with completely different stories.
That’s the power of perspective (and clearly nervous system capacity). Ten decided they couldn’t, and the people trusted them. Which ended with 40 years in the wilderness and an entire generation dying off before they moved.
The only two from that generation who didn’t die before entering the promise had a different perspective: Caleb and Joshua.
Here’s the thing: the story you tell yourself matters because it’s the difference between circling the wilderness (staying stuck) and carrying you into the promise.
That choice boils down to perspective. It boils down to what you CHOOSE to see. What’s your report? Do you see the bounty or do you see the giants?
Do you think the holidays are full of too much temptation to change, or do you see how you could actually use the bounty of the season to change now?
Same season. Different story.
November Body Edits:
All of this to say, let’s stop overthinking and start doing. No matter how imperfect they are. Instead of waiting, what if you started building a body to hold and handle the changes you want to make next year?
What if you used the holidays to build capacity and create more energy so January 1st really counts? You’d be suprised how easy it is.
Building capacity starts with basic energy fills. Here are a few I’m making this month:
10 MINUTES OF MORNING SUNLIGHT: THIS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR ME. Even if it’s cloudy. Even if it’s cold and my sun comes from cranking the heat in my car while I drive with the window down. Morning sunlight makes all the difference.
DAILY MOVEMENT: Also a requirement, and its own challenge during the colder, unpredictable months. YET, it’s one of the best ways to stay committed to my health, my edited story, and to actually feel good in my body (if you need help making this a habit and filling your body this season, the Holiday Walking Club is for you).
EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST: I don’t get too hung up on what I do or don’t eat during the holidays, but the way I do is to ensure I’m energizing my day. I am using this month to commit to healthy, nutrient-dense breakfast options. I’ve listed some go-tos below.
AN EARLIER BEDTIME: I can’t stress how much GOOD sleep fills our bodies with energy and capacity. If you’re not sleeping well, you may be going to bed too late. Think of an overstimulated baby. They’re so tired but unable to sleep. We’re similar. When we stay up too late, we get mentally overstimulated, which makes sleep harder. An earlier bedtime, especially in these darker months, can help.
LESS NOISE: I say prioritize less noise when you can so you can handle the holiday noise. For me, that looks like quieter mornings, podcast-free walks, fewer unnecessary conversations. I’m not saying skip the holiday event. I’m saying that less noise every day helps you show up and actually want to be there. I don’t think we’re people out. I think we’re overstimulated, and in the end, that leads to more loneliness. Add more space and silence so you can enjoy people instead of dreading them.
My go-to breakfast options:
In honor of using the next month to prioritize breakfast, here are a few of my go-to breakfast options.
My November Inspiration:
I’m almost finished with this book and OH MY GOSH, one of the best books I’ve read all year. I also loved his book on The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. Definitely great for yourself or to gift.
My fall-wardrobe shift has been a huge hit. I had never purchased from this brand/botiquie before, but this sweater has been one of my favorites. It is so warm. And in my color palette (which has been hard for me to find).
Speaking of color palette, have you had your colors done? I’m not going to share the secret of what I am yet. I’ll be posting more soon.
I know this might come as a shocker, but I switched back to Pantene shampoo and conditioner. Call me crazy, BUT it works so well in my hair. And can I be honest? I think the clean beauty industry is lying to you. Should I do a post about it? Similar to this one on Chemtrails, EMFs, and parasites?
I didn’t expect these boots to make good walking shoes, but I swear by them, especially in the winter. I have a cold-weather pair and a rain pair. And yes, they are just as comfortable, if not more, than my Nike walking shoes. They also last five times as long. If the price scares you, I’ve had my winter boots for four seasons, and they still look almost new.
My November Energy Fills:
Putting the Christmas tree up early (yes, I do recommend incandescent bulbs over LED)
Flannel sheets
Honoring traditions
Holiday festivities
Homemade holiday crafts
Cold weather walks
Hot drinks all day long
Casseroles + slow cooker meals
Cozy blankets
What are you loving, reading, or buying lately that you love? I’d love for you to share your November finds below!
List out your intentions this month, and you’ll be amazed at how a bit of direction makes a world of difference.