Four Christmases, a Staycation, and the Flu: My Holiday Rollercoaster
The past few weeks have been a blur of wrapping paper, car rides, and trying to stay present while my brain was already jumping ahead. The holidays always sound magical in theory — cozy nights, family traditions, slow mornings — but this year? They were full. Like…four Christmases full.
I’m grateful, truly. But it was also exhausting. And I kept wondering why we feel guilty for being tired during a season that’s supposed to be joyful. This year reminded me that holiday downtime and exhaustion can coexist.
Taking the “In-Between Week” Off Work
After Christmas and before New Year’s, I took the entire “in-between week” off work. I originally thought we’d be traveling for NYE since we weren’t doing Reedy River Grand Ball, but when that plan fell through, I decided to keep the week and fully lean into it. No schedules. No pressure. Just doing whatever I wanted. :)
One of the small joys during this time was adding to a collection that’s become unexpectedly meaningful. My mom started my Wedgwood collection this year for Christmas and has continued to add to my crystal collection over time, and during my staycation, I was able to snag three more Wedgwood pieces and a beautiful crystal bowl from Cottage Grove Vintage Market! It felt like a little personal holiday gift to myself — a tangible reminder that even in the chaos, there are small, beautiful things we can hold onto. (I’ll save the full thrift and antique story for another post, because clearly that’s a whole love language in itself.)
The first few days of my staycation I felt more productive than I have all year. Truly unstoppable.
I went to Studio Fire (use code GREYSON for your first class free 💪), grabbed a yummy Fig Latte at Third Place Coffee in Greer, got my windshield wipers changed, and finally went to the DMV to get my tag sticker I’d been driving without for six months. Whoops 😂. Knocking out these small tasks made me feel like my life was slowly snapping back into order.
A Different Kind of New Year’s Eve
This year was our first NYE without Reedy River Grand Ball. Normally, NYE is all glam, chaos, and late nights — a production that Braxton has mastered. But this year was different as Braxton sold the rights to another entertainment/management company!
We had a nice dinner with our best friends in Greenville, ended the night at Hall’s (obviously 😂), and I remember thinking how refreshing it felt to ring in the new year without performing it.
The Calm Before the Storm: The Housemaid
On New Year’s Day, I finally watched The Housemaid in theaters and wow. Perfect “brain-off but fully invested” entertainment. It had been a couple of years since I read the book, so I didn’t feel picky about missing details, which made it even more enjoyable.
Ironically, that peaceful night ended up being the calm before the storm. Because later… the stomach flu hit.
Forced Rest (And the Guilt That Comes With It)
What followed was a stretch of forced rest — the kind you don’t choose and therefore don’t find peaceful at first. And honestly, the physical sickness was one thing; the mental battle was harder.
This was supposed to be my staycation! My week off to clean, reset, and relax. Instead, I was stuck on the couch, feeling guilty for resting while my brain made a to-do list of everything I should be doing.
I know that guilt well. It’s the eldest daughter, the Type A part of my brain that equates productivity with worth. Even when my body says stop, my mind has other plans.
But being forced to slow down has been revealing. I’m learning that rest isn’t something to earn — it’s something we’re allowed to take, especially after a hectic holiday season.
Where I’m Landing
This season reminded me that life doesn’t always wrap neatly just because the calendar turns a page. Sometimes the holidays are messy, traditions change, and your New Year starts on the bathroom floor instead of with a vision board.
And that’s okay.
I don’t feel the need to sprint into this year with grand declarations or perfectly curated goals. I want to enter honestly — with more margin, more grace, and a little less pressure to do it all.
If you’re coming out of the holidays feeling tired, behind, or needing a reset before even starting the year, you’re not alone. You’re human.
Here’s to softer starts, unexpected plot twists, and listening when our bodies (and hearts) ask us to slow down 🤍