Linger

If you listened to last week’s episode then you know I am not one for New Year’s Resolutions. I fully support people doing them, and I will never rain on your party, but they just aren’t for me. But I do believe in setting some goals for the year. In the last post I shared some reflection questions I use to prepare for the New Year ahead. Another tool I have used to help me set my intention for the year is picking a word for the year. I borrowed this idea from a friend of mine who said she did it because it feels less rigid and more kind. She is the kind of person who brings peace and calmness when she enters the room so I generally want to adopt more of whatever she is doing. 

Today I had a laundry list of things to get done because it was my last day off before we returned from Winter break but it was also my daughter’s birthday. All day long I felt torn between the pull of wanting to clear my inbox so tomorrow would be easier and an invitation to lean into the stuffie tea party that was taking place on my office floor. I kept rationalizing the errands…we already took her to Disneyland last week for her birthday, the groceries won't just appear in the fridge on their own and we need dinner.

As I sat down for my second makeover of the day I felt this invitation to linger. I can barely sit still in a regular salon chair let alone one with a toddler jabbing glitter into my eye. But even in that moment, I knew if I could just resist the longing to get up and move on to the next thing, if I could just stay in this moment, I would experience the magic. And I did, I belly laughed all day and got to witness the magic of birthday joy that is four.

I started to wonder how I could bottle this up and capture it all year long when days aren’t as generous and when deadlines really do have to be met. How can I actively take a step towards creating more magic in my life even on normal days? The answer for me is to linger, to be slow to part. This means creating a little more margin so I don't have to rush off and lean into the magic in the mundane. 

As I thought about the word more I realized this is actually something I really need to lean into and something that I could focus on all year so I’ve made “linger” my word for 2025. It’s an invitation to savor what’s in front of me, to create space for connection and joy, and to resist the pull of busyness. If you picked a word for the year I would love to hear what it is! 

Between A New Year

As I sit down to write this, there’s a pile of bacon and chocolate wrappers staring back at me. I bought a lot of bacon to start keto, fully committed to the idea of a clean slate. But then I thought, “I should probably get the Christmas chocolate out of the house first.” Now here I am, surrounded by the remnants of too much.

The truth is, everything has been in excess lately. My body feels like it needs a detox, not just from food but from the sheer overload of the season. It’s been too much family, too much stress, too many commitments. I feel stretched thin, like I’ve been operating in overdrive for weeks.

As the year comes to a close, I’m desperate to move forward. I’m clinging to the idea of the fresh start that January promises. Get me out of this, I think. But in my rush to move into the next, I realize I’m standing in a moment I’ve also longed for. This in-between space—the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another—is where growth happens. This is the sweet spot.

No matter how many years I have practiced being present to the between seasons I still want to flee from them. My husband reminded me yesterday that I typically travel during this time because it is really hard for me to sit still between Christmas and New Years. But that wasn’t in the cards this year so I am forced to sit in and sort through the mess and to really think about what I want this next year to look like. It’s the chance to pause, to lean in, to decide what I want to carry forward and what I’m ready to leave behind. It’s where I can prepare myself to step into something new with intention and purpose.

So, as I navigate these final days of the year, I’ve decided to ask myself a few key questions. Maybe they’ll resonate with you too, or inspire you to create your own.

1. What do I want to carry forward?

What are the positive lessons, habits, relationships, or achievements from this past year that I want to intentionally bring into the new year? I’m taking stock of the strengths and insights I’ve gained, asking myself how I can build on them to move forward with confidence.

2. What do I need to let go of or reframe?

What habits, beliefs, or emotions are holding me back? What no longer aligns with where I want to go? I’m giving myself permission to release the things that prevent me from stepping into the new year with clarity and freedom.

3. What do I want to step into in the year ahead?

What opportunities, goals, or changes inspire me? What aligns with my purpose? I’m visualizing the year ahead, preparing myself to welcome growth, creativity, and new possibilities.

These questions are my guide through the “in-between” of the New Year. I would love to hear from you about what questions you are asking too!

Simple Kitchen Swaps to Welcome Fall

"Yesterday, Talia pulled my face in tight between her two little hands, looked me straight in the eyes, and said, 'God is confused, Mom.' It was 8:30 p.m., and we were already an hour past bedtime, so I wasn’t interested in engaging in a theological debate with my three-nager, but I couldn’t resist asking, 'What do you mean, Talia?' With all the seriousness she could muster, she shouted, 'IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FALL!'

She’s not wrong. It is a confusing time here in California where it’s 97 degrees in October. There’s something magical about the shift from one season to another—when the air gets crisper, the sunlight softer, and we feel the pull to cozy up indoors. But what do we do if nature is moving at a slower pace than our bodies? I’ve realized that sometimes we have to start acting as though we’re entering a new season before it fully arrives. Doing small things—like swapping out spices or lighting candles to set a cozy mood—helps us mentally and emotionally transition. It’s a way of embracing change, grounding ourselves, and making the shift smoother and more intentional.

I’m starting small this week with my kitchen, because even in our tiny space, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where nourishment happens, where conversations unfold over meals, and where the change of seasons can truly be felt. A few easy, quick swaps can bring in that cozy fall feeling, while also reminding us to embrace nourishment and warmth during this season of change.

By preparing our heart and home ahead of time, we invite the new season in, creating space for the shifts it brings. So this week, I’m using up all my lemons in my one-pot chicken because, well, the tree is still producing, but I’m also mixing in some cardamom and cinnamon to ring in the fall feeling. Here are some small things I did this week—let me know which ones you try!"

Bring in Warm Tones
Summer is all about light and airy, but fall calls for warmth. Swap out your bright kitchen towels and placemats for rich, earthy tones like burnt orange or deep reds. Even a small pumpkin on the counter or a vase of dried eucalyptus can set the fall mood.

Change the Scents
Citrus scents are refreshing in summer, but fall is all about warmth. Try simmering a pot of water with apple slices, cinnamon, and cloves, or switch out your kitchen candle for something with notes of pumpkin spice or cedarwood.

Cozy Textures
Fall is the season to lean into comfort. Lay down a cozy rug by the sink or add a cushioned chair pad at your breakfast nook. These little touches not only warm the space but also make it feel more inviting as the season shifts.

Stock Fall Flavors
As the weather cools, it’s time to bring out your spices—think cinnamon, nutmeg, and rosemary. Keep them handy in cute jars on the counter, so you’re ready for hearty, nourishing meals that make fall so special.

Seasonal Produce
Fall produce is rich and hearty. Fill a bowl with apples, pears, or even small gourds to bring the season right into your kitchen. They’re not only delicious but also beautiful as a natural centerpiece.