Christmas doesn’t look too different for us this year, other than we are recovering from the flu. I definitely still have it considering I still have a low-grade fever this morning- and I would not wish this illness on anyone. My husband and I have been miserable with battling inconsistent temperatures, congestion, cough, sore throat, body aches (more like zaps for me), and overall we are just exhausted.
His symptoms started a week ago today and he still is not 100%. My symptoms started on Monday so I am only technically on day three and it feels like it’s been a week already. We are blessed to be off work, be at home together, and have access to healthcare/medicine. Our Christmases are normally pretty chill, so in that regard, it’s not much different at all.
Sending healing, abundant vibes to everyone this holiday. May we remember what is truly important in this lifetime and give lots of gratitude for these blessings (hint: it’s not the material gifts).
Writing this from my bed, because my husband has influenza A and this morning I woke up with a sore throat, body aches, and my post nasal drip trying to choke me out. I’m so very blessed to have good bosses and be in the situation we’re in. The fact that we were able to get my husband seen and diagnosed in under two hours is a blessing, and I’m just glad we’re able to rest it off and take care of ourselves.
I know this is only a couple days before Christmas, but it honestly works for us because we don’t have any Christmas plans other than stay at home! Holidays are typically pretty uneventful for us, other than the white elephant gift exchange we do with my family every January. We know that once we have children the holiday seasons will be much busier, so for now we just enjoy the peace and quiet together.
Even though I don’t feel great, I do feel very grateful🤍 Yeah, yeah, it was kinda lame, but I mean it!
When my husband and I are both feeling healthy and we don’t have any set plans for an entire weekend, that makes me happy. I love not feeling rushed or like I’m restricted to any schedule, and I enjoy the peace of it all- even if some find that peace to be boring.
I think it has a lot to do with the fact that my nervous system was so dysregulated for so long, and I used to be extremely uncomfortable when it was time to be calm.
I’d never allow myself to relax, I looked at rest as a privilege rather than a necessity, and I just constantly burned myself out with never-ending to-do lists. Now that I have recognized the importance of rest and I have become more regulated, I absolutely love “boring” weekends.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love connecting and conversing with good friends as well. I find that Face-timing or spending times with friends fills my heart with love and typically boosts my energy-there’s just something about a weekend at home with my life-partner that allows for a full re-charge, and just keeps my heart so full.
I decided to take December off of social media, so I deleted Instagram off of my phone. I already had Facebook deleted as I barely go on there, but I did go on once I had our wedding photos and that’s when I found myself back in a cycle of constantly checking on my posts.
Yesterday my phone widget told me that the full moon was arriving today, so I had decided to re-download Instagram for the purpose of going to a specific astrology Instagram page I follow (Sisters Village- I know I’ve mentioned them before) for the full moons tasks/prompts. Luckily it was easy to just go on and get off- literally I just logged in, got my screenshots of her page, and re-deleted the app.
Below is the checklist she posted for the full moon, and as you’ll see, I was already checking #2 off the list! I love when things like this happen, because it feels like a sign that I am in alignment. I’ve been trying to be very mindful and present these past few weeks, and I have been feeling good mentally, and I want to keep up with this especially during this winter season.
Ironically enough, when I went to screenshot her post, I had just finished cleaning the bathroom, which included decluttering the linen closet and getting rid of old towels. I recently had decluttered our kitchen and downstairs closet as well, and honestly it feels so good to just get rid of things that we don’t use. So now I just have to work on bullet points 3 and 4!
I did recently get to connect with my family in Iowa since I took a trip out there last weekend to see Wicked with my Grandma! I’ve been kind of connecting more with myself than with friends though, but it is purposeful for this short period of time. I take a while to recharge and get back in tune with myself, and since this entire year was so busy with friends and family with the whole wedding happening, I’m really enjoying this quiet time with just myself and my husband.
I do want to connect with friends soon, and I have plans these next couple weekends to have fun, creative times with friends, but until then I’m gonna enjoy this weekend of peace and reconnecting with myself during this full moon. Below are the prompts that also came from that Instagram page, incase anyone else wants to join in with this time of reconnecting. Sending love to everyone this Sunday!
I hope people say that they can tell that I care deeply and that I am someone who they can be themselves around and not feel judged. I don’t focus much on what strangers think, but I do hope my friends and loved ones can feel my love and appreciation for them.
Excited for a calm weekend to relax and reset. We have no plans other than hanging out around the house and going on a breakfast date to our favorite place (aka where we got engaged). Im just thinking about how I will be able to get the house cleaned up and take time to myself; as an introvert, these are my favorite weekends.
Also it’s Friday the 13th which is one of my favorite days, as my husband’s lucky number is 13, and we have three black cats! For us, we have always considered it to be a lucky day- and I’m feeling this energy.
Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it?
My first thought when I read this was Aruba. Just over five years ago my husband and I went on a cruise where Aruba was one of the stops, and we were absolutely in love. The clear blue water, the beach, the weather… we kept saying we would get married in Aruba and couldn’t wait to go back.
Shortly after that cruise, Covid happened. We had let our passports expire in 2021 since we figured we probably still wouldn’t leave the country for a while still with just the state of the world and what not, and low and behold we got married in Pensacola Beach Florida, so now we can renew them and I can get my new passport with my new last name!
Speaking of Pensacola Beach, that was the very next thought that popped into my head after thinking that Aruba was my favorite place I visited. Of course Pensacola now has a special place in my heart considering we got married there, but honestly I look forward more to returning there than to Aruba. Pensacola has the gorgeous white sandy beaches, the calm energy, and the hotel we stayed at had ocean views on both sides- it truly just felt so peaceful.
Overall, I’d go back to Pensacola Beach before I’d go to Aruba- so that is my favorite place I’ve visited.
Aruba, November 2019 Pensacola Beach, October 2024
Your angels are supporting you-trust in those gut feelings. Be present to the signs around you and focus on your intentions for this month and for the upcoming year. Luck and abundance is all around you- get still and be present to it all.
When it comes to new moons and full moons, I have been trying to make it a habit to do journal prompts from the Sisters Village instagram page. I find that her prompts are helpful and with her studying astrology, the prompts are on theme with what is going on in the celestial realm.
She writes down a to-do list which also often contains some sort of writing task, and her one she posted for today’s new moon said to write a gratitude list. I know I do that a lot here on my blog, but starting off the new month I think it’s a great time to sit and focus on what blessings surround us.
This December, I am grateful for:
My health/mental health. I can walk, talk, eat, and live life all on my own without assistance. I have access to doctors and my therapist who has especially helped me with my mental health over the past few years. I am no longer stuck in panic attacks or deep depression every day of my life, and I have learned so much about myself. This journey has only made me more curious and empathetic towards my mind and body, therefore allowing me to love myself.
My husband. I knew when I was 16 years old that I was going to marry my husband, and we finally tied the knot this year! Our wedding day was everything I ever dreamed of, and although the wedding was a huge highlight of our relationship, I am so thankful for the years of roots and foundation we built together. My husband was with me during some of the hardest parts of my life, and he never thought to leave or run away- instead he was my rock. He loved me for me and has always encouraged me to be my favorite version of myself- and I am that when I’m with him. I am so grateful for this love, and I pray everyone finds a healthy, strong love like this.
Our home. We bought our townhome over eight years ago, and I am still so happy with where we are. We have plenty of space, all of our appliances work, and we are blessed to be able to afford our mortgage and utilities. I always grew up in an apartment, and I am the only child, so I am the first person in my immediate family to purchase a home! I always wanted a home with a garage and I am lucky to say we have a two-car garage attached to our home. I am so thankful to have a warm place to sleep every night.
I am grateful to have such good friends, who truly love me and wish the best for me and my husband. I love friends who I can just talk to for hours, laughing a lot with no judgement. I love friends who are excited for my wins, just as much as I am excited for theirs, and overall I just enjoy the genuine love and support.
I could go on and on, but instead I’m gonna post a couple of the slides from that Sisters Village page, that way if anyone else wants to join along in some journaling/reflecting, you can!
As part of my new moon ritual, I’ll journal these other prompts in my actual writing diary today with some incense and calming music. Sending everyone so much love this holiday season, and I hope December is filled with love, miracles and joy! ✨
finding light in the dark 