For the past two weeks, I’ve been trying to write this blog about moving through holiday time when you’re feeling anything but jolly, about how it’s ok to not be ok, about how it’s normal for grief, anxiety, depression and the like to show up as unwelcome houseguests during this season. But it turns out, it’s awfully hard to write about stuff like this when I’m in the middle of it!

What’s the last month of the year like for you? Even setting aside all the holiday craziness and extra “to-do’s” on the list, December often feels like a rush to get stuff done before the end of the year. Sadly, I suspect I’m not alone in the annual tradition of “beating myself up for all the things I didn’t do this year.”

A few months ago, one of my REALIFE Process® coaches (yes, coaches have coaches) asked me what I do to renew myself - defined as something that is not work, that is relational or relaxing, that gets me into a different environment or engages my brain differently. I’m embarrassed to say that I was a bit stumped.