Richelle Hofer

I have a confession to make: today on May 2, 2024, I have taken down my Christmas tree. You might be gasping, but I’m giving myself a round of applause.

Life is so weird, isn’t it? It’s filled with unexpected twists and turns, pushing us to face challenges we never anticipated.

I never pictured myself starting life over at 42 years old, but… I did it.

The past two years have tested my resilience and forced me to prioritize certain aspects of my life (like building my business) while others fell to the wayside… like my Christmas tree, which stood tall long after the holiday season had ended.

The Weight of Priorities

Balancing personal and professional responsibilities sometimes makes me feel like a batter in a batting cage with a pitching machine cranking out fastballs. All I can do is stand at the plate and swing.

Walking away isn’t an option or else I’ll get knocked out by an unexpected curveball.

At the end of the day there is little time or energy to address anything that isn’t mandatory.

It is during these times that our proverbial Christmas trees (unfinished tasks or unattended matters) linger in the background.

I’m here to tell you it is perfectly acceptable to deal with these trees when you have the capacity to do so.

The Power of Self-Care

In our fast-paced world, self-care is often overlooked or deprioritized. We talk about it but we don’t PRIORITIZE IT. Our mental health and overall well-being is essential for navigating life’s challenges. You’ve gotta be on your a-game for the fastballs!

I COULD have skipped a counseling session, or a massage, or Bible Study to take that tree down. I could have foregone one of the novels I read in the evening. But I KNEW that I had to prioritize my mental health in order to keep on surviving.

Releasing Shame

At the end of every day, that Christmas tree was staring at me – and it was staring at my neighbors too! Standing tall and proud in the front living room window.

What do the Amazon drivers think when they deliver packages? 🤨

One of Zach’s prom pictures has our Christmas tree in the background. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Our friends occasionally texted to ask if we still had our tree up. 🤪

Shame can be a heavy burden to bear. Leaving a Christmas tree up for four months might not seem like a big deal to some, but the shame associated with it can be overwhelming.

We have to release ourselves from this unnecessary guilt. Embracing our proverbial Christmas trees means recognizing that everyone has their own unique challenges and priorities. By letting go of shame, we can create space for self-compassion and understanding.

Permission to Deal with It

Today I got the tree put away. While I was packing it up I said “Hey Google! Play some Christmas music” 😆

Give yourself permission to take down your proverbial Christmas trees on your own terms. Don’t let the shame of it overwhelm you. When you have the space for it, just say “Hey Google! Play some Christmas music” and tackle that bad boy like it’s December 26th.

Life is not always linear, and unexpected circumstances can throw us off balance. Let’s give ourselves (and others) the freedom to deal with these trees when we can, without the pressure of someone else’s expectations.

Remember, it is in the acceptance of our own imperfections that we find the strength to overcome and thrive