Sunday Letter • December 15th, 2024
My restorative practices, a vibey track for your holiday playlist, and an idea of what else I have coming your way soon
Welcome to this week’s
I hope you all are doing well. We’re already halfway through the the last month of the year!
Last time I wrote to you all, I wrote about leaning into seasonality and embracing the slow pace of the winter. As nature around us crawls into a hibernation, we are each presented an opportunity for restorative activities and reflection as we transition into a new year.
I’ve been luxuriating and resting at home after a busy fall season, and spending (a lil’) less time on social media. If you’ve been following along since I started my Substack a couple of months ago, you’ll know that I was often on the road over the past few months, traveling for work. While I love this part of the work that I do, there’s nothing like being at home. Besides, at least for me, being constantly on the go can slowly start to wear at me. When I’m not home for so long, I don’t truly get to do or take part in the kinds of activities that are restorative for me.
You may (or may not) be surprised at just how much one’s environment can impact one’s health. Over the years, investing in myself has looked like investing in my peace. As restoration and peace are a big part of my holistic wellbeing, this has meant creating and making a home life that truly allows for me to rest and engage in activities and practices that restore me. I take pleasure in surrounding myself with beauty and favorite things that enable my health and wellbeing. It truly makes a difference, and I am deeply grateful for all that I have.
Some of the things that I have been doing to restore include:
Tidying up my home and installing an air purifier (+Environment, +Mental Health)
Decorating for the holidays (I bought my first ever live tree this year!) while listening to my favorite holiday music
Being in my kitchen, cooking and nourishing myself
Made my first purple sweet potato pie from scratch (and still enjoying it, even if the crust was a partial fail!)
Bundling up and getting outside for walks in the city, even if just to run an errand
Lighting candles in the evenings and watching New York Undercover on my projector with my magnesium, tart cherry juice + Ghia mocktail
Allowing myself to indulge in a favorite creative video game from my childhood
What are some restorative activities and rituals that you engage in or can start to engage in to promote peace and well-being this season?
Before the new year, I personally want to journal more, put in some time on my mini trampoline that I bought a few months ago, put up my new cassette shelf now that my collection has exceeded the last one, and share a few meals and (non-alcoholic) drinks with good company this season.
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“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by The Whispers
The Whispers’ rendition of this Christmas song is surprisingly suave, with a nice Bossa Nova-style twist. If you celebrate Christmas, this is the version to add to your holiday playlist this year.
Did you catch my recent posts?
I shared some of the first herbs from my kitchen apothecary and a quick start guide to working with herbs in your own home:
and shared some favorite winter fashion looks from my Pinterest:
Coming up:
A Round Up: Favorite vintage bedroom interiors to inspire turning your room into your sanctuary for sleep
Kitchen Herbalism: My recipe for a Throat Coat Tea dupe to keep you well as the winter roars on
… plus a lot more that I have been planning and working on for you all! Iiiiiiit’s comin’!
Have a great week, and remember to carve out time for restorative practices this season.
Kendyl
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Agree on restorative practices at home! I too just got done a busy work travel season! Love being home, tidying up, cooking! Like some of your ideas too, helping to make it more peaceful and hibernating for winter. :D