A Season For What Matters Most
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There’s something about this time of year, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, or simply the quiet pause that late December brings, that invites us to slow down and look around.
The world feels softer for a moment. People smile a little more. We gather, we reconnect, we remember.
No matter your background or beliefs, the holiday season holds a certain kind of magic. And it’s not really about gifts, lights, or perfectly decorated cookies (although I’ll happily take all three). It’s about something deeper, something that doesn’t require a religion, a ritual, or a specific date on the calendar.
It’s about meaning.
A Time for Family and Friends
This is the time of year when we try, often imperfectly, but sincerely, to come together. Sometimes that’s around a dinner table. Sometimes it’s over a FaceTime call, or a cozy movie night on the couch.
It doesn’t have to be fancy.
In fact, the simplest moments often create the best memories. A slow morning with people you love. A shared laugh. A familiar ritual. A story you’ve heard a hundred times but still love because of who’s telling it.
Family doesn’t have to be biological. Friends don’t have to be many. What matters is connection, the feeling of belonging to someone and having someone belong to you.
A Time for Experiences
Every year I’m reminded that experiences stay with us long after gifts lose their shine.
The warmth and glow of the fireplace. The sound of kids running around, sticky with frosting. The quiet of a snowy morning. The chaos of getting everyone out the door (yes, even that becomes part of the story). The feeling of being present, even for a moment, in a world that moves too fast.
This season nudges us to be part of these moments, to notice them, savor them, and tuck them away for later.
A Time for Gratitude
I love that gratitude doesn’t need anything big or extraordinary. It thrives in the small things:
Warm socks. Good food. A text from someone you haven’t talked to in a while. A child’s excitement. A quiet night.
When we pause, even briefly, we start to see how much there is to be grateful for, even in a year that may have been complicated, heavy, or messy.
Gratitude doesn’t erase hard things. It simply reminds us we’re not walking through them alone.
A Time for Joy
Joy isn’t the same as perfection. It isn’t the same as everything going right. Joy is the little spark that sneaks in anyway.
It’s the contentment of being exactly where you are. It’s the laughter that bubbles up unexpectedly. It’s the moment when you look around and think, Okay. This is enough.
The holiday season gives us permission to look for joy, and to create it.
And joy, like most good things, grows the more we notice it.
My Wish for You
As we close the year, my wish for you is simple:
May you find connection. May you see beauty in the small things. May you feel gratitude for what is here, and hope for what is coming. May you experience joy, not because everything is perfect, but because you made space for it.
Whatever you celebrate, and however you celebrate it, I’m wishing you a season filled with meaning, warmth, and moments worth remembering.
Happy holidays, from my family to yours.
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If you're feeling excited about putting this strategy into action and could use a little extra accountability and support, the It’s All in the Planning Starter Pak is here to help! Designed to set you up for success, it’s the perfect tool to keep you on track and moving forward.
Let’s make progress together—because great results start with great planning!
A Note from Happy Spaces
Our goal is simple: to add value to your life. If you think this project will be helpful, here are some steps to set yourself up for success:
Estimate how long it will take—then double it. Giving yourself extra time helps reduce stress.
Schedule it on your calendar for the week ahead. Setting a specific date increases follow-through.
Break it up if it will take more than an hour. Tackling it in smaller steps makes it more manageable.
Make a list of every action needed before you start. A clear plan helps keep you on track.
Do what works for you—you don’t have to complete every part, just what adds value to your life.
Find an Accountability Partner—having support makes it easier to stay committed.
We understand that building new habits and systems can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. For additional support, visit HappySpacesBySarah.com and let’s make organizing and planning easier together.
Creating a life you don't need a vacation from! ®
Sincerely,
Sarah Weingarten
Meet Sarah
As the oldest of nine kids with two working parents, I grew up juggling many responsibilities at home. Organization and time management became my lifeline amidst the chaos.
I attended the Cornell Hotel School and pursued my childhood dream of working in the hospitality industry. In 2016, I launched Happy Spaces, combining my passion for structure and efficiency with helping others.
I love working with students to develop essential organizational, time management, and study skills. These skills empower them to reach their full potential, build confidence, and create a future they feel good about.