Realization: becoming fully aware of something as a fact.
Realization is an incredibly powerful tool to carry with us throughout our lives. My biggest a-ha moments usually come around this time of year when I am stretched to my absolute thinnest. I take notes in my journal each morning about how I feel and refer back to them in the new year when I am making my "well I'm not doing that again this year" list.
Realizations can be small, everyday insights or big, life-changing revelations, but each one holds the potential to shift your perspective in meaningful ways. They might arrive as a whisper while you’re making your morning coffee or hit you like a lightning bolt in the middle of wrapping gifts. Either way, these moments invite you to pause, take stock, and adjust course. Leaning into these realizations can help you uncover outdated patterns and embrace habits that truly support your well-being.
The beauty of awareness is how it guides you toward living a life that feels more aligned and intentional. Maybe you realize you don’t need to bake fourteen kinds of cookies this year, or perhaps it dawns on you that the best holiday moments are the simplest ones. Whatever comes up, let it be a reminder that growth and self-discovery don’t need to be complicated. They just need you to pay attention and act with care.
Life is ever-changing, and self-care allows us to weather these ups and downs with resilience. When we realize how important it is to cherish the present and savor the moments where we feel grounded and content, we grow. Our lives improve and we spend time doing the things that truly make us feel good. When things aren't feeling so good, we know that change is on the horizon, and that better times will emerge. That counts for the holidays too.
As you move through this holiday season taking good care of yourself and putting more intention into your days, understanding the power of your thoughts and actions, you realize how you engage with the world (and your inner voice) matters. How you show up shapes the energy you attract and the experiences that come back to you. As you cultivate kindness, positivity, and openness in your self-care practice, you align yourself with positive outcomes.
JOURNAL PROMPTS
- What have you learned from the ups and downs in your life?
- How do you feel about change? Do you resist, or go with the flow?
- What energy are you putting out into the world? How is it flowing back to you?
TODAY'S GIFT
Today's scent, for all three boxes, is a personal favorite of mine from the Tarot Line, Wheel of Fortune. This scent always reminds me of a luxury hotel. The scent was developed based on the tarot card and represents how the wheel continuously turns. This is something that always feels appropriate for this time of year as well. As we reach the solstice, the days start to get longer. As we celebrate the new year, we start a new cycle and have a fresh start. For the bookish box, it is in a room spray, and for the other boxes, it is a candle. If you enjoy the scent, I highly recommend trying it out in the reed diffuser (especially in the bathroom).