Keeping the Spark Alive: Finding Joy and Connection This Holiday Season

Remembering the Joy We Used to Feel

Between to-do lists, family gatherings, and a calendar that somehow fills up overnight, it’s incredibly easy to slip into holiday autopilot. The routine gets heavy, the expectations pile up, and suddenly the joy you were looking forward to feels… a little out of reach.

But here’s the truth: the holidays don’t have to be all stress and no spark.
Not when the kid within us is still there — waiting for a moment to come out and play.

As adults, we get so caught up in managing everything that we forget what this season used to feel like: magical, adventurous, full of silly little moments that made us smile without trying. This post is a reminder that the joy you’re missing isn’t gone — it’s just buried under the busyness, and this time of year is the perfect invitation to dig it back up.

Because connection doesn’t always require grand gestures or perfectly curated moments. Sometimes it looks like shared laughter in the kitchen, a spontaneous dance break while wrapping gifts, running to the door like a kid when a package arrives, or simply choosing to be fully present with the people you love.

This is your gentle nudge to slow down, look around, and let a little of that childhood wonder back in.
Because joy doesn’t disappear when life gets busy — it just needs an opening.

Reclaiming the Magic of the Season

There was a time when the holidays felt magical — not because everything was perfect, but because everything felt possible.
We didn’t worry about time, to-do lists, or expectations.
We didn’t plan joy — we simply lived it.

And if you grew up with holiday traditions, you remember how simple that magic used to be. The smell of cinnamon and freshly baked cookies drifting through the house. The bright lights on the block that made us stop in our tracks, pulling us in, inviting us to pause and take in the moment.

As a parent, watching your children during the holidays felt like witnessing joy in its purest form. Their excitement filled the entire house.
Christmas lists tucked everywhere — handwritten wishes folded into pockets, slipped under pillows, taped proudly to the fridge — little reminders of their endless imagination.

And back in the day, those big Christmas catalogs?
Kids would circle everything — not because they expected it all, but because dreaming felt fun.
Because imagining felt free.
Because that was the season when anything felt possible.

Even the shopping used to feel different — lighter, more playful.
You’d walk through the store knowing your kids would probably end up with more than you intended (because how do you say no to that kind of pure joy?).
But somehow, instead of stress, there was excitement.
There was intention.
There was love behind every gift, every surprise, every late-night wrapping session.

That magic — the wonder, the laughter, the freedom — is still here.
We just forget to reach for it.

This season is your reminder that the child within you hasn’t disappeared.
They’re still circling pages.
Still dreaming big.
Still waiting for you to pause long enough to feel the excitement again.

The holidays are not just a checklist.
They’re an invitation.
A chance to remember what joy felt like before life got complicated —
and to let that feeling lead you forward.

And once you remember the magic — once you feel even a spark of that childhood wonder returning — joy suddenly becomes easier to reach for.

The beautiful part?
You don’t need anything big or perfect to experience it.

Sometimes all it takes is a few simple, playful choices to invite joy back in.

Which brings us to the fun part…

Bringing Playfulness Back Into the Season

“Sometimes we just need simple, accessible ways to invite joy back in.”

Now that we’ve touched the magic, the nostalgia, and the spark within, let’s make it real.
Let’s bring that joy forward — not in a big, overwhelming way, but in small, meaningful moments you can actually enjoy.

Because this season isn’t about perfection.
It’s about connection.
It’s about warmth.
It’s about giving yourself permission to laugh, play, and create memories that feel good to you.

So, I put together a list of simple, joyful things you can try — things that remind you of what this season can feel like when you let yourself lean into it.
Fun things.
Soft things.
Moments you can share… or savor on your own.

These “spark starters” are here to help you reconnect with love, presence, and the magic you deserve to feel.

✨ Holiday Spark Starters: Simple Ways to Reconnect This Season

Because sometimes joy just needs an invitation.

For Couples or Someone You’re Seeing

• Share a “no phones for one hour” night and just talk or laugh.

• Make hot chocolate and sit under the tree or holiday lights together.

• Take a late-night drive to look at neighborhood lights.

• Ask each other a fun, flirty, or nostalgic question.

• Cook one meal together — even if it’s simple.

For Family & Kids

• Bake one easy holiday treat together (cookies count).

• Let the kids choose a 1-hour activity — their version of a mini “Yes Day.”

• Have a holiday movie night with blankets and snacks.

• Make homemade ornaments, cards, or a family gratitude board.

• Go on a “joy scavenger hunt” — find 3 things that make everyone smile.

For Friends

• Do your holiday shopping together and grab coffee afterward.

• Plan a pajama brunch — low effort, high connection.

• Write each other short, handwritten notes instead of gifts.

• Have a board-game or card-game night.

• Take a winter walk to chat and catch up.

For Those Navigating the Season Solo

• Buy yourself a small, meaningful gift — something you’ve been wanting.

• Take yourself somewhere cozy or nostalgic.

• Write a letter to your future self about the year ahead.

• Try a new recipe just for you.

• Create a calming or empowering end-of-year playlist.

Quick Reset Moments (For Everyone)

• Take a 5-minute pause to breathe or stretch.

• Step outside for a bit of fresh air.

• Light a candle and sit quietly for a moment.

• Turn on a favorite song and move your body.

• Write down three things you want to savor this season.

Joy Is Still Yours to Choose

As the season moves quickly around you, remember this: joy doesn’t ask for perfection.
It doesn’t need a spotless house, an organized schedule, or the “right” moment to appear.
Joy shows up in the small things — the laughter you didn’t expect, the warmth you didn’t plan, the spark that returns when you give yourself permission to feel good again.

The holidays are a beautiful reminder that we’re allowed to slow down, be present, and reconnect with the parts of ourselves we sometimes forget in the rush of everyday life — especially the kid within who still believes in magic.

So, choose what feels good this season.
Choose the moments that bring light.
Choose the connections that feel warm.
Choose the memories that make you smile long after the lights come down.

You deserve that kind of joy — not just during the holidays, but always.

✨ Looking Ahead

In the next part of this series — Looking Back, Moving Forward: A Year of Inner Growth — we shift from playfulness into reflection.

Because once the laughter settles and the magic quiets, the heart naturally turns inward.

Part 4 is where we pause to honor the year behind us — the lessons learned, the resilience built, and the ways we’ve grown in moments we never expected.
It’s a gentle reset before the new year begins.
A space to celebrate how far you’ve come and acknowledge the pieces of yourself you’re reclaiming.

And it’s also a moment to recognize the unfolding chapter of Chase Purpose Inspires, as it continues to evolve and grow right alongside you.

Stay tuned — next, we shift from rekindled joy to grounding clarity.

🪞 Moment of Reflection

How can you make space for fun, curiosity, and joy in your life long after the decorations come down?

Are You Staying Past Your Expiration Date?

A conversation about a past relationship sparked the idea for this post. It wasn’t until later, when I had time to sit with what I said, that something clicked. Out of nowhere, I realized I had stayed long past the expiration date.

As I replayed the conversation in my mind — the explanations, the reasons, the justifications — I finally heard myself. For the first time, I truly listened to my own words, and they told a story I had ignored for too long.

Maybe I hoped that if I just waited long enough, things would somehow get better. But deep down, I knew they wouldn’t.

Now that I’m no longer in the space of looking backward or holding on to moments I can’t change, I can see it clearly: I wasn’t honoring the truth. Some things simply expire.

While that moment of clarity began in a conversation about a relationship, it opened my eyes to something deeper. As I sat with it, I realized how this same pattern can show up in so many areas of our lives — jobs that no longer fulfill us, mindsets that keep us small, even versions of ourselves we’ve already outgrown.

We’re quick to throw out expired food, yet we often hold on to expired seasons, expired roles, and expired relationships — hoping they’ll somehow become fresh again.

So, I ask you:

What are you holding on to that no longer nourishes you?

Looking Inward, Not Backward

This reflection isn’t about regret; it’s about awareness. There’s peace in recognizing when something has served its purpose — even if we’re not quite ready to let it go.

Staying too long in a space that no longer fits doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Sometimes, it just means you’re still learning what release looks like. Growth doesn’t always show up as a bold, confident step forward — sometimes it’s quiet, happening deep beneath the surface where no one, not even you, can fully see it yet.

We often hold on because the familiar feels safer than the unknown. Other times, we stay because we’ve poured so much of ourselves into something that walking away feels like losing a part of who we are. But truthfully, every season — even the hard ones — teaches us something about ourselves. The lessons don’t always arrive wrapped in joy. Sometimes they come through heartbreak, disappointment, or stillness. Yet they all shape the roots of who we are becoming.

Growth happens in stages. There are seasons when the fruit isn’t visible — when it feels like nothing is changing — but beneath the surface, the roots are strengthening. And often, the people around us will notice our quiet changes long before we do.

So, if you’re still in that space between knowing and doing, between awareness and action — be gentle with yourself. You’re not behind; you’re becoming.

The Courage to Honor Endings

There’s a quiet kind of strength in honoring when a chapter has run its course. Just as beginnings ask us to trust what we can’t yet see, endings ask us to trust ourselves — to release the weight of what was and make peace with what is.

But that kind of peace doesn’t come all at once. We don’t wake up one day and suddenly feel ready to let go. Most of the time, we get there slowly — through reflection, through discomfort, through the quiet lessons that follow. The process doesn’t always look the way we expect, yet it has a way of leading us exactly where we need to be.

The courage to close a door doesn’t always come with confidence; sometimes it begins with a whisper — “I’m ready for something different.”

The thing about choosing to let go, even when the road ahead feels uncertain, is that it asks us to choose peace over comfort, truth over illusion, and growth over familiarity. It’s not always the easy choice, but it’s the one that leads us back to ourselves.

Endings don’t erase what was meaningful. They remind us that nothing is wasted — every experience, every lesson, every season has purpose. What once felt like loss often becomes the foundation for renewal.

When we stop forcing things to last longer than they’re meant to, we give life permission to move — and that movement creates space for joy, clarity, and new beginnings to find us.

When we cling to things, people, or mindsets that have expired, we crowd the very space where joy and growth are meant to enter. There’s a quiet kind of strength in saying, “This no longer serves who I’m becoming — and that’s okay.”

Maybe this season isn’t about holding on tighter. Maybe it’s about releasing with gratitude and making peace with what’s already been learned.

Making Space for Renewal

As the year comes to an end, we’re invited to do a bit of emotional housekeeping — to clear out what’s expired, so there’s room for what’s alive and aligned.

So before stepping into a new year, take a quiet moment to ask yourself:

“What needs to be released so I can step forward with peace?”

Because when we stop clinging to what’s expired, we create room for something new — something lighter, brighter, and ready to bloom.

Letting go is never just about endings — it’s also the beginning of something new.

As the year winds down, I’ll be sharing one final reflection in late December — a look at what this year’s journey has taught me about purpose, perseverance, and the quiet beauty of inner growth. Between now and then, we’ll explore what it means to stay connected to joy, protect your peace, and move through the holidays with grace and gratitude.

Because sometimes, making peace with the past is exactly what allows something beautiful to begin.

Reflection Moment: Clearing Emotional Space✨ I honor what has served its purpose. I release what has expired. I open my heart to what’s next.

Starting Over Doesn’t Always Mean Starting from Scratch

Dating. Yep, that word.

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you already know I’m single again. And if you’re wondering how I got to this point, check out “The Birth of a Podcast-Turned Blog.” That’s where this whole journey began.

The truth? I didn’t expect to be here. But here I am—learning what it means to start over, not just in love, but in life.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how this year has been full of new beginnings—some planned, some unexpected. Funny how life has a way of nudging you forward, even when you’re not sure you’re ready.

But back to the matter at hand. It’s been almost three years since everything changed, and a question keeps surfacing:

What does it really mean to begin again?

When Life Brings You Back to the Starting Line

I didn’t plan to think about dating again—it just kind of happened. But before I could even process the why, I had to sit with the how.

It started in the most ordinary way. I was out shopping, minding my business, when a simple conversation about muffins turned into a light, unexpected flirtation. We laughed, exchanged numbers, and for a brief moment, it felt nice—to be seen, to be noticed again.

We texted a couple of times, and then he asked me out to dinner. I froze—not because of the invitation itself, but because I wasn’t sure what I was really feeling. Was I genuinely interested in getting to know him, or just flattered by the attention?

Something about it felt too soon, too formal. A casual coffee or weekday lunch felt safer—something with an easy exit if my heart wasn’t ready. So I hesitated… and eventually, I didn’t respond. The conversation faded, and so did whatever that moment might have been.

But it left me with a question that’s lingered ever since:

Was I really ready to date again—or did it just feel good to be noticed?

Sometimes that’s what starting over does—it doesn’t give us answers right away. It just invites us to pause, reflect, and get honest about where our heart really is.

When Old Doors Reopen

Now that you know the how and why, I think it’s only fair to share where I am right now.

So, let’s go back. It was about two weeks ago.

Just when I thought I was starting to figure out what “new” might look like, the past quietly knocked again.

I won’t go into all the details of how it happened, but I reconnected with someone from my past. What I thought would be closure turned into a conversation that reminded me of the friendship we once had—and maybe still miss. There was no pressure, no promises, just honesty. And somehow, it felt like we picked up right where we left off.

I can’t lie—there’s still something there. But this time, I’m not rushing to define it. Maybe what I’m learning is that starting over doesn’t always mean walking away completely. Sometimes it’s about holding space for what still feels familiar, while staying open to what’s new.

I know what you’re thinking—there’s a lot going on right now. But that’s the funny thing about starting over: you never really know what it will look like. Sometimes the past collides with the future. Sometimes starting over doesn’t mean beginning from scratch—it just means picking up where you left off, with new eyes, a softer heart, and a little more wisdom than before.

The Many Ways We Begin Again

While this is my version of starting over, yours might look completely different.

And that’s the thing—there’s no single roadmap for this part of life.

If you happen to be in the same book as me—dating again, reconnecting with someone from the past, or trying to understand how old feelings can evolve into something new—you know it’s not easy. Starting over can feel messy and uncertain. It asks you to hold space for what was, while also making room for what could be.

But no matter how your story unfolds, starting over always looks different for everyone.

For me, it happens to be in the form of love and reconnection. But for someone else, it might be:

Leaving a job that no longer fits

Returning to school after years away

Learning to rebuild trust after disappointment

Reconnecting with faith, family, or purpose

Different stories. Same courage.

Because every version of starting over carries that same quiet bravery—the decision to believe that what’s ahead can still be beautiful, even if what’s behind you once broke your heart.

And maybe that’s what I’m learning most: starting over isn’t about pretending the past didn’t happen—it’s about understanding it differently. It’s about honoring what it taught you, while choosing not to let it define what comes next.

Whether you’re beginning again with someone new, revisiting something old, or simply rebuilding yourself, remember this:

Starting over isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. It’s the quiet, courageous work that reshapes you from the inside out—teaching you to trust, to open, and to believe in the beauty of becoming again.

When Doubt Meets Dream

Don’t get me wrong—starting over doesn’t erase doubt. There will still be moments when you wonder why, how, and if you’re really ready for what’s ahead.

It doesn’t mean we suddenly know exactly what we want just because we’ve decided to move forward. Life shifts. Plans change. And sometimes, starting over happens more than once.

Because the truth is, starting over isn’t a one-time thing—it’s something we do again and again, in different seasons and for different reasons. Each time, we discover a little more about who we are and what we truly need.

Sometimes, it’s just about showing up to the possibility that things can be different this time.

Maybe you’re like me—learning how to stay open again.

Maybe you’re learning to trust life’s timing, even when you don’t understand it.

Or maybe you’re realizing that starting over isn’t really about the other person, job, or path—it’s about coming home to yourself.

Every time we begin again, we’re not going backward—we’re becoming someone braver, wiser, and more aligned with who we’re meant to be.

Staying Open

I don’t know how this story ends yet.

But maybe that’s the point.

Starting over isn’t always about getting a new ending—it’s about learning to live fully in the middle, even while the pages are still being written.

Whether you’re rebuilding, rediscovering, or just beginning again, I hope you remember this:

It’s never too late to start over—not in love, not in purpose, not in life.

Wherever you are in your journey, give yourself permission to begin again—softly, slowly, and without apology

💬 Moment of Reflection

What does starting over look like for you right now?

It might not be love—it might be rediscovering who you are, one brave step at a time.

No More Waiting

No More Waiting: Taking Your Life Off Hold

Have you ever felt like you’re living in limbo, waiting for someone or something to nudge your life forward? Maybe you’ve been in a relationship where your partner is hesitant to commit to the next step, leaving you stuck, hoping they’ll finally take the initiative. Or perhaps you’ve put your dreams and ambitions on pause, believing that once the "right moment" or the "right person" comes along, things will fall into place. 

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. For many of us, life has a way of slipping into a holding pattern—whether it’s in love, work, or personal growth. But here’s the question: what are we really waiting for? And is it worth the cost of putting your happiness, goals, and potential on the back burner? 

This post is for anyone who’s tired of waiting, tired of being on hold, and ready to reclaim their agency. It’s not just about relationships but about every area of life where we’re passively waiting for something to happen instead of taking the reins.

The Problem With “Waiting for the Right Time”

We’re conditioned to believe that patience is a virtue, and sometimes it is. But there’s a fine line between patience and passivity. Waiting for the “perfect” conditions or relying on someone else to fulfill our needs can leave us stagnant.

Take relationships, for example. If you’re constantly waiting for your partner to decide they’re ready for the next step—whether it’s moving in together, marriage, or simply being fully present—you’re sidelining your own wants and needs. You’re putting your life on pause, hoping they’ll press play.

And it’s not just romantic relationships. Maybe you’re stuck in a job that feels like a dead end, telling yourself you’ll start looking for something better when the economy improves or when you “feel ready.” Or perhaps you’ve been dreaming of starting a business, writing a book, or moving to a new city but haven’t taken the leap because you’re waiting for the stars to align.

The truth is, life doesn’t wait for us. The longer we put off living fully, the more we risk waking up one day to realize that years have slipped by while we were waiting for the “right” moment that never came.

Why We Wait

So why do we do it? Why do we keep ourselves on hold, even when it’s uncomfortable or unsatisfying?

1. Fear of the Unknown

Stepping into uncharted territory is intimidating. It’s easier to stay in a familiar, even if unsatisfying, situation than to risk the uncertainty of change.

2. Hope for Change

We convince ourselves that if we just wait a little longer, things will improve. They’ll change. The opportunity we’ve been waiting for will appear.

3. Cultural Conditioning

Society often tells us to wait our turn, to be patient, and not to rock the boat. We’re taught to believe that good things come to those who wait.

4. Low Self-Worth

Deep down, we may not believe we deserve better. We settle for less because we don’t think we’re worthy of more.

5. Love and Loyalty

In relationships, waiting can feel like an act of love or loyalty. We suppress our own needs, hoping our partner will eventually meet us where we are.

When I Was On Hold

The truth is, I feel like I’ve been on hold for most of my life—I just didn’t realize it until recently. For years, I used my circumstances as excuses not to pursue the things I truly wanted. I told myself I couldn’t start a business, go back to school, write a book, or, more recently, launch a podcast. (Well, you know how that one eventually turned out.)

I’ve always been a practical person. If I couldn’t see the endgame, I convinced myself it wasn’t going to work. And if it wasn’t going to work, why even try? With that mindset, I stopped before I ever started, crafting excuses to keep my dreams tucked away in a metaphorical box, gathering dust. That is, until a new idea or venture would pop into my head, only for the cycle to repeat. 

Looking back, the truth is, I was scared—scared of failing, scared that my ideas were just fleeting fantasies that would never take shape. It wasn’t about practicality; it was about fear. 

I’d like to say everything changed the moment I decided to go back to school, but it wasn’t quite that simple. What finally pushed me forward was shifting my focus away from the logistics—away from the fear of taking out another student loan—and instead honing in on what I wanted for my life. It wasn’t an overnight transformation. It took three years of commitment, but it was worth it. Now, I’m doing something I truly enjoy, and that feels incredible. 

I still find myself on hold sometimes, but the difference now is that I don’t let the unknown paralyze me. I’ve learned it’s okay not to see the endgame. It’s okay to jump in, embrace the journey, and let it take me wherever it leads. After all, life isn’t about knowing exactly where you’ll end up—it’s about daring to take the first step.

The Turning Point 

There comes a moment when you realize that waiting isn’t serving you anymore. Maybe it’s a slow, creeping realization, or maybe it hits you all at once like a lightning bolt. Either way, deciding to stop waiting is a powerful act of reclaiming your life. 

For me, the turning point came when I realized that change wasn’t going to happen if I just stayed on the sidelines. How could I keep complaining about the direction of my life if I wasn’t the one steering it? That realization forced me to confront my own inaction. 

So, I decided to pack up my fear, silence my doubts, and take a leap. Before the courage could leave me, I applied to grad school. It was terrifying, and at the time, it felt like one of the hardest steps I’d ever taken. But looking back now, I can see that single decision was the start of something bigger than I could have imagined. 

That step, though daunting, brought me to where I am today. It showed me that moving forward doesn’t require knowing every detail of the path ahead—sometimes, all it takes is trusting yourself enough to take the first step.

What Happens When You Stop Waiting

When you stop waiting and start taking action, something incredible happens: you take back control of your life.

• You Feel Empowered: Instead of relying on others or waiting for perfect conditions, you start creating opportunities for yourself.

• You Gain Clarity: Action breeds clarity. The more steps you take, the more you’ll learn about what you want and how to get it.

• You Build Confidence: Every small action builds momentum and reinforces the belief that you’re capable of creating the life you want.

• You Stop Resenting Others: Taking responsibility for your happiness helps you stop blaming others for not meeting your expectations.

Creating Your Own Journey

Here’s the challenge: what would it look like to stop waiting and start living?

1. Define Your Needs and Desires: Be honest about what you want—whether in relationships, work, or personal growth. Write it down. Get specific.

2. Communicate Clearly: If you’re in a relationship, let your partner know what you need. Be clear and compassionate, but don’t shy away from expressing yourself.

3. Take Small Steps: You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Start with manageable actions. Dreaming of a new career? Update your resume. Want more adventure? Plan a weekend trip.

4. Let Go of Perfection: Life will never be perfect, and that’s okay. Start where you are with what you have.

5. Embrace Uncertainty: Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Trust yourself to handle whatever comes next.

What It Feels Like to Live Fully

Since deciding to step out of the shadow of fear, I can honestly say it feels freeing. There’s a powerful realization that comes with understanding the only thing holding you back is you. 

Am I 100% there? No, and I probably never will be. But that’s okay. What matters is that I’m moving forward. Along the way, I’ve learned so much about myself, and I’m excited to see where this journey will lead.

To anyone still on hold, I encourage you to ask yourself why. What’s keeping you in that place? And when you’re ready, take the leap. Embrace the uncertainty, and enjoy the ride—you just might surprise yourself.

Final Thoughts

Waiting can feel safe, but it comes at a cost. By putting your life on hold, you’re missing out on the joy, growth, and fulfillment that come from living fully and authentically.

So here’s my question to you: what are you waiting for? What’s one small step you can take today to move your life forward?

It’s time to hang up the metaphorical phone and start creating the life you deserve—because you’re worth it