Granting Yourself Permission to be Quiet in a Noisy World

“Thanksgiving is not just a day, it’s a lifestyle.”

On a sign outside a nearby church.

Christmas Cactus with Red and White Flowers

I wasn’t certain I wanted to show up here today. There’s so much NOISE this time of year and I didn’t want to add to it.

Lately I’ve been leaning more into who I am — quirks and flaws and idiosyncrasies and all. Showing up without apology.

So I thought I’d show up here today with permission — for myself and for you — to be quiet at this noisy time of year. To lean in to your quirks. To follow your guiding star (even if no one else can see it).

Quite a few years ago I wrote a post on my old blog “Gratitude & 16 Things to Do This Weekend Other than Shop.” It was fun to look at it again and remember Black Friday has never been my thing (I’ll probably be doing many of the things on that list this weekend, though this year I’d change #5 from Star Wars to The Matrix).

A few other inspirations:

black and white cat sitting on an artist's lap at her painting table

I’m so grateful for you.

Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing I hope you are finding gratitude today and discovering beauty and joy.