This time of year can bring a strange mix of emotions for many of us. Everywhere you look, there’s pressure to smile, celebrate, and follow traditions we may not even believe in anymore. We’re told what to buy, how to feel, what to cook, and even which days we’re supposed to be joyful. It’s as though we’ve all agreed to perform a play that half of us are quietly thinking doesn’t even make sense.
And let’s be honest, in the current state of the world, when everything feels so uncertain, expensive, chaotic, or just downright exhausting, the idea of forcing cheerfulness because the calendar says we should, feels a little bit… well… ridiculous.
But here’s the thing I’ve been reflecting on lately…
Sometimes the weight we feel doesn’t actually come from the “world” as such, it comes from the expectations we’ve inherited without question,
Traditions we never chose.
Beliefs that never resonated.
Routines that drain us instead of nourish us.
And boxes we squeeze ourselves into just because it’s what we’ve always done, or what someone once told us we “should.”
Guess what?
It’s okay to step outside that box.
In fact, your soul will probably breathe a huge sigh of relief when you finally do because…
You don’t have to celebrate the way others do,
You don’t have to pretend you’re okay when you’re not,
You don’t need to follow traditions that feel heavy or hollow,
And you don’t need to agree with ideas that don’t align with who you are today!
Your soul is allowed to evolve.
Your choices are allowed to change.
And your life is allowed to look different from everyone else’s.
This season, I’m realising more than ever how important it is to follow what feels true in your heart, not what the world expects from you, so…
If you want a quiet December, have one!
If you want something completely non-traditional, do it!
If you want to celebrate in your own way, or not at all, you’re allowed to!
If you want to dream bigger, change direction, start again, or reinvent everything… well, go for it!
Yes, it might feel scary or rebellious.
And yes, you might get a few raised eyebrows (someone always has an opinion, don’t they?).
But here’s the secret
A lot of people are quietly wishing they could do exactly the same!
Choosing what feels right for you isn’t selfish and it isn’t weird!
It’s simply living honestly, and honestly, that’s so refreshing in a world full of expectations, obligations, and “we’ve always done it this way” routines.
So, if your soul is tugging you in a new direction, follow it.
Choose the December that feels right for you,
And if you want to stop performing and rewrite the script… well, consider this your permission slip.
With warmth, love, and light
Well said Liz, December has become too commercial and starts in November. As you say it isn’t following tradition anymore. It can be enjoyed with family and friends without obligations. Merry Christmas
How true Liz we all allow ourselves to be influenced by outside pressures not just at Christmas. It’s difficult not to be swept along with convention but we should all do what we want not what we think is expected. You have very wise words.