Welcome to Leveling Up with Lindsay, the podcast
where we dive into leadership, small business,
and everything in between. I'm Lindsay, your
host and the proud owner of White Puny Boutique,
a space created to empower women, build confidence,
and foster meaningful connections. Whether you're
an entrepreneur, a mom, a friend, or someone
just looking for a little inspiration, This is
your space to feel seen, supported, and inspired.
Join me as we share stories, strategies, and
a little bit of life's chaos while navigating
what it truly means to level up in starting a
business, relationship, and personal growth.
So grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and let's
level up together. Hey friends, welcome back
to Leveling Up with Lindsay. Today is a special
episode, not because it's long or complicated,
but because it's timely. We're walking into a
season that holds a lot of emotion for a lot
of people. Expectation, excitement, pressure,
nostalgia, joy, and sometimes all of that in
a single week. And I want to talk about something
that I think we often forget. You are allowed
to rewrite your holiday story. You are allowed
to choose what actually fits in your life this
year. Not the version of you from five years
ago, not what people expect of you, and not what
you've always done just because it's tradition.
Somewhere along the way, the holidays became
this big performance we put on. We tried to do
everything the same way, year after year, even
when our lives look nothing like they used to.
But here's the truth, life changes every single
year. So our holidays are allowed to change too.
Maybe your kids are older, maybe your energy
is different, maybe you're navigating something
hard behind the scenes. Maybe your business is
in its busiest, craziest season ever, like mine.
Or maybe you're simply craving a softer, simpler.
December. Whatever it is, this year does not
have to match any year before. I'll be honest,
this year already feels different for me. I can
feel it in the pace, the weight, the joy, the
excitement, all wrapped together. And I start
thinking, what if instead of forcing myself to
keep up with traditions that no longer fit our
family, I choose the ones that actually bring
me joy? Some things I'm keeping, some things
I'm definitely simplifying, some things I'm rewriting
entirely. and that's okay. It's more than okay
and it's actually healthy because your holiday
season should feel like a reflection of your
current life, not a version of you that doesn't
exist anymore. Today I want to give you something
practical, something you can literally do today.
Ask yourself number one, What do I need to release
that doesn't fit my life this year? Maybe it's
hosting every event, doing the same old just
to people please someone else, saying yes when
your soul is screaming no. Releasing something
doesn't mean you're disappointing people. It
means you're choosing what aligns with the season
you're in. You can create boundaries. Number
two takeaway is your keep list. You have to ask
yourself, what are the traditions or moments
that truly bring me joy and how can I protect
them? Maybe it's one special baking day, matching
pajamas over the holidays, a church service,
driving around to look at lights, one meaningful
gift exchange or even a quiet morning with coffee
before the house wakes up. Keep the things that
light you up. Not the things you feel obligated
to do. For me, each year has looked slightly
different. And of course, this year is a very,
very, very busy time of year for my business.
But the things that I vowed and will be present
in doing this year. One example is my two girls
and I already decorated our house upstairs and
downstairs with all of our holiday decor. In
the past years, we've rushed through this and
maybe didn't get it all done, which... I didn't
really give myself expectations or us. I just
was so happy that we were together decorating.
And we stayed up a little late in doing this,
but it's just memories that I will forever cherish,
the three of us, you know, with the Christmas
music on. My oldest daughter made hot chocolate
to kind of get ready for this. And it was, it's
just, I took little videos and I'm like, I just
want to hold on to this forever. This year, my
mom and I also made a pact that we will indeed
have our annual cookie baking day. Last year
we were so busy we did not make time for this
even though we've done this tradition since my
kids have been little. But watching my dear grandmother
grow a little weaker and a little older each
day this year with zero question we were putting
our work down filling my entire kitchen and living
room with baking supplies like I'm telling you
every table every nook and cranny has flour sugar
everywhere and we're gonna make our full -fledged
Christmas cookie day together. I had a photographer
one year come for this day when Tenley was just
little and it is the most magical pictures I
will cherish for the rest of my life. Now number
three, you want to ask yourself the rewrite question,
okay? If I design this holiday from scratch,
What would it look and feel like? So that is
takeaway number three. I want you to think about
this. You'll be surprised what comes up when
you let yourself dream without guilt or expectations.
Maybe what you're craving this year is peace
or fun or flexibility or intention or less hustle
or more presence. Whatever it is, you get to
choose. You are not doing the holidays wrong.
You are not failing if your season looks different
than someone else's. You are evolving. and your
holiday story gets to evolve with you. Traditions
are so beautiful, but so is growth. So is adjusting.
So is choosing what fits you and your family
now. This is your permission slip. You get to
create the holiday season that feels the most
like home for your heart this year. Thank you
for hanging out with me today. If this episode
made you feel lighter, encouraged, or even just
a little more grounded heading into the week,
please share it with a friend who might need
the same reminder. And as always, I'm cheering
you on through every season, especially this
one. See you next week on Leveling Up with Lindsay.
Thank you for listening. If you found this information
helpful, please share it with a friend. If you're
looking for more information on the topics we
covered, please head to the show notes below.
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and our journey to get started. Let's make today
and every day an opportunity to level up. Until
next time, keep dreaming, keep striving, and
keep making a difference.