Hey bookish besties and festive friends! Today’s Blogmas post is all about self care when life goes sideways…not even the bad kind of sideways, just when you don’t think you’ve done everything you’re supposed to be doing and feel unproductive.

Yes, I skipped a day yesterday. But sometimes the most productive thing you can do in December is absolutely nothing. I was deep in my WIP trenches (the creative bug started flowing again for my novel) and then I blinked and realized I spent the day reading, baking Christmas cookies for my nephews and niece, watching Christmas movies, and vibing on my couch.

Did I get to everything I wanted to yesterday? Nope. Do I regret it? Also nope. I NEEDED yesterday.

And that’s the energy I’m championing today: intentional rest because sometimes life can get crunchy.

Here are some of my self-care tips if you need them.

1. Do something that makes you happy.

Not something that looks productive. Not something other people expect. Something you actually enjoy. Read a chapter from a comfort book. Bake cookies that may or may not resemble a hockey-punk. Rewatch a series you quote like it’s your second language. Joy doesn’t have to be a reward you only earn after suffering.

2. Treat yourself (responsibly, besties).

I am not saying max out your credit card because your inner raccoon spotted something shiny. I am saying you deserve little luxuries.

Think:

• a new candle that smells like something baking
• a $5 holiday drink
• a fresh pack of gel pens because your notebooks deserve it
• a digital game or book that sparks serotonin

And please, I beg of you: do not sacrifice rent, medical bills, or student loans for a plushie shaped like a festive axolotl. I understand the temptation. I do. Resist.

3. Indulge your inner childhood.

December is literally the inner child Olympics. Color in a coloring book. Build a pillow fort. Wear fuzzy socks with little reindeer that stare into your soul. Put sprinkles on everything. Build a gingerbread house that leans like condemned property. Make paper snowflakes. Your inner child has been doing a lot. Give them recess.

4. Learn something new.

It doesn’t have to be a full skill tree or a new life path. Just something small and delightful. Learn a recipe. Try a new craft. Watch a documentary. Teach yourself a TikTok dance you’ll never post but will enjoy failing at. Pick up Duolingo again so that stupid green owl stops threatening you.

Growth doesn’t always have to be stressful or high-stakes. Sometimes it’s just fun and random.

5. Reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in a while.

Send a voice memo. Text a friend you haven’t talked to in a bit. Reply to that one group chat you constantly ghost because you get overwhelmed.

Connection is soft. It doesn’t have to be deep or life-changing. Just let yourself be seen by someone who cares.

6. Move your body in a way that feels good, not punishing.

Movement does not have to look like a structured workout.

It can be:

• A walk while listening to a cozy playlist
• A five-minute living room dance break where you dramatically lip-sync as if auditioning for a Christmas special
• Stretching like a cat who owns the place (because you do).

7. Become one with your couch.

Rest is productive.

Some days the couch IS the sanctuary. Lay down, cocoon yourself in a blanket, watch something sparkly, and let your brain recharge however you need to.

You’re not lazy – you’re restoring yourself.

8. Journal.

Get any tangled thoughts out of your head and onto paper.

Write:

• What stressed you
• What soothed you
• What you’re hoping for
• What you’re grieving
• How you’re still keeping a grudge on that one kid from 5th grade (I won’t judge)

I like to think of journaling as emotional landscaping. If you write anything in particular you know you don’t want anyone to read, write it out on a Google doc or on a piece of paper you can then rip and burn. Be as dramatic as you want, besties.

9. Think about how far you’ve come.

No, seriously. Pause. You survived things you didn’t think you would. You grew in ways you didn’t expect. You changed, healed, created, loved, lost, learned, and kept going.

You didn’t stay where you started – and that’s powerful.

10. Acknowledge that you are fierce, amazing, and perfect just the way you are.

Not “when you finish this.” Not “when you fix that.” Not “once you do more, be more, achieve more.” Right now. In your hoodie, with undone hair, holding three emotions and a mug of tea (or a hot toddy). You are already enough. You are already worthy. You are already loved.

And if you needed the reminder today, taking a day off doesn’t make you lazy or behind – it means you’re human. A very tired, very magical human who deserved that rest.