I know we are two weeks away if you celebrate Christmas, and if that causes you stress, let me remind you: These are the weeks we get everything done! Everyone is behind in some way.. well maybe not everyone, but everyone that I hang out with. And Calm..ish is a BIG WIN this time of year.

An Evening of Holiday Joy

We had a beautiful night full of joy last week at the Ridgefield, CT book launch. It has taken me awhile to put it into words because my heart was so full for so many reasons after the event. Between Tim Washer making us laugh, The New Hope Gospel singers elevating our spirits and literally bringing us JOY, my kids who surprised everyone with a touching duet, and Dylan Dreyer from the TODAY Show keeping our conversation so real and relatable, everyone left with what they needed.

We set out to bring Joy, and from what I heard, our mission was accomplished. For me, what an experience to be in that full house of 300 people, filled with people whom I have been grateful to know throughout my life—I left full of both gratitude and love! 

A few highlights from the book and the evening:

Connection over perfection.
I’ve heard this again and again: “No, my house isn’t decorated yet. There are boxes everywhere—but I’ll host. Connection over perfection.” It’s become a mantra for so many.

Grief and joy—at the same time.
Both can exist at the same time, and often do. This season asks us to make room for this duality—honoring our grief while still allowing moments of joy. It is what our loved ones would want most for us. 

Savor it before you save it.
Let yourself take in the awe and wonder of the moment before you reach for your phone. Make it a moment just for you. When we experience awe and wonder, we feel less stressed and more connected to those around us due to the release of oxytocin, so it’s a win-win for everyone! 

Joy is a choice.
Knowing how to choose joy is a skill that we need in this life and will make a difference in how we navigate challenges. For me, that looks like savoring my coffee and a quiet house in front of my tree in the mornings or putting on a holiday playlist during times of stress. It doesn’t mean we avoid the hard things; we strengthen ourselves with joy to face them. 

And there was so much more. We’ll be sharing the video of the event very soon. To all of you who made the time to come, thank you for spending your incredibly valuable holiday time with me that night.

NPR LIFE KIT: The key to a less frantic holiday season

The holidays can bring a lot of pressure—travel, meals, family time, and the push to make everything perfect. I share with NPR’s Life Kit how letting go of perfection can actually bring more peace, and I offer practical tips for a calmer, brighter season.

BOOK CLUB!

There is something magical when we gather together during this season, and here is an opportunity to do it! Join me for a live book club Zoom chat on Monday night, December 22, from 8-9pm ET. Grab a cocktail or a coffee, and we will celebrate the season together. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the book, and I will be answering all the questions you have then!

• Topic: All is CALMish Book Club

• Time: Dec 22, 2025 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

• Join Zoom Meeting:
  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88439459333?pwd=TqofXZG4Vv6L3uGZ5L2oiqDsexmwmv.1

• Meeting ID: 884 3945 9333

• Passcode: CALMISH

Gratitude Snapshots

Wishing you many moments of awe and wonder starting now!

In Case You Missed It

Why 3 Good Things?

Wellness isn’t one big thing—it’s three good things, or two good things, or five. It’s noticing the gifts of the life we have.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about “3 Good Things.” It’s the question I often ask my kids and one of my favorite gratitude practices.

Research shows that identifying three good things each day can actually rewire your brain from negativity to optimism in just 30 days. Follow along for my 3GT each week! And send me yours! I want to hear from you.