The Season of Enough
Lately, every time I open the calendar on my phone, I can’t help but notice the growing patchwork of colored dots and reminders, family dinners, events, get-togethers, and travel plans all stacked together like ornaments on an already full tree. It’s that unmistakable sign that the holiday season is here again.
And yet, even as I scroll through the weeks ahead, adding another invitation or note, I feel that familiar tug inside, a quiet whisper that says, slow down. Don’t miss what matters most.
Over the last few years, I’ve been learning to listen to that voice. The holidays used to bring their fair share of joyful chaos, but also plenty of pressure. The endless shopping lists, the wrapping marathons, the worry over finding the perfect gift for everyone on my list. It was festive, yes, but it could also feel like too much.
Then, about four years ago, my immediate family decided to do something different. Instead of buying gifts for one another at the holidays and throughout the year (with the exception of the little ones, of course), we began saving money each month for something much more meaningful, a shared dream we call our Lake House/Cabin Fund.
Each of us contributes every month, and that fund continues to grow year after year. It’s become a symbol of togetherness, a reminder that what we want most isn’t more stuff, but more time together. The gift isn’t in the wrapping paper or bows; it’s in the shared intention behind what we’re building together.
Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy picking out a few thoughtful gifts for close friends, gift-exchanges, hostess gatherings and of course the children. There’s something special about giving from the heart. But the pressure? That’s gone.
Now, instead of racing through stores or late-night online shopping, I can savor the season. I can take an evening walk to admire the Christmas lights, sit with a mug of cocoa by the tree, or listen to holiday music while wrapping a few simple gifts without the weight of “more” pressing down on me.
That shift, from pressure to peace, has been one of the best gifts I’ve ever received.
Because I’ve learned that enough isn’t about settling. It’s about noticing. It’s about realizing that what’s already here and family, laughter, warmth, connection is more than enough.
The holidays have a way of convincing us that we need to do more, give more, be more. But maybe what we really need is less, less rushing, less comparison, less noise. When we strip away the excess, we uncover the heart of the season: gratitude, connection, and love.
I’ve come to treasure those simple moments, the hum of conversation at the dinner table, my granddaughters’ wonder of the lights and decorations, or the quiet glow of the Christmas tree in the evening. Those are the memories that last, the ones that fill the soul far more than anything I could buy.
This year, as my digital calendar fills with colored dots and gentle reminders, I’m choosing to approach it with more grace and less guilt. I’ll still show up for the gatherings that fill my heart, but I’ll also make room for rest, for stillness, reflection, and gratitude.
So here’s my invitation to you, before the season sweeps you away, take a moment to breathe. Look around and notice all that’s already here. The laughter, the love, the ordinary magic woven into each day. Because the holidays don’t have to be bigger or busier to be meaningful. The greatest gifts aren’t bought, they’re felt, shared, and remembered.
May this be the season of enough, a season where simplicity shines brighter than excess, where appreciation fills the gaps, and where your heart finds peace in the gentle truth that what you already have is truly more than enough.
xo, Sheryl
You can find Imperfectly Charming wherever you listen to your podcasts. Or click here now to listen to the trailer on Apple, Spotify or my RSS Feed.
Conversations with My Soul Course
Download My Gift to You (and access to my weekly newsletter)
To order the 6 Step Path to Self-Love Ebook and Journal.
To join my free private community with live coaching and exclusive content.