So, I Decided to Spend Christmas Alone
'Tis the season to be jolly — even if it looks different than usual.
Welcome back to the Weekly Hurdle! Every Friday, I’ll share a blog post, follow it up with a thought-provoking prompt to take you into the weekend, and finish things off with some content picks. Please, tag or DM me on social @hurdlepodcast and @emilyabbate with your thoughts. This newsletter is free and will stay free thanks to sponsors and the individuals that opt-in to give. Consider signing up as a paid subscriber.
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For my entire adult life, I’ve done the exact same thing for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, I’m usually shacked up with Dad’s side of the family out east in the Hamptons. Even as she approached 90 years old, Grandma’s committed as ever to decking the halls with the same homemade stockings we’ve used since I was born. The family eats a bunch of seafood (read: we’re Italian), sips eggnog (Grandma includes at least three types of alcohol), and opens gifts. It culminates with a platter of Christmas cookies, including the family’s signature go-to — the Italian tricolor — and cannolis from Arthur Avenue, followed shortly by me passing out on a small couch that was likely purchased in the prior to 1990.
Come Christmas Day, it’s a quick jaunt on the Port Jefferson ferry back to Connecticut to enjoy the rest of the holiday with Mom, where the biggest decision we make is what movie we’re going to see and if we want to go the classic chicken and broccoli route or get gluttonous with General Tso’s. It’s a Spandex-only affair, which is usually topped off by at least two Hallmark flicks. Then, more tricolor cookies (there is no such thing as too many tricolor cookies).
This year, I’m not doing any of those things.
OK. Most of them. I’m still 100 percent making the cookies.
Between playing it safe with the pandemic and feeling a little overwhelmed with the projects I’ve taken on, staying here in New York just feels like the only legitimate option. On a phone catch-up with one of my best friends this week, she asked me how I felt about spending the holiday solo. If I’m being entirely honest with myself, I feel OK about it. Do I wish things were different? Sure. But for me, this level of acceptance has been a really critical part to 2020 as a whole.
I’m sure many of you can relate. Loads of people across the globe are in a similar situation. There have been a lot of frustrating things over the past nine months. I know that spending my energy being upset about the ones that I cannot control won’t do me any good. Instead, I think about the things I’m grateful for. My health. My community. My family. My home.
… When it came to the Christmas decision, I asked myself if the steps I would need to take to see my family (including a quarantine, car rental, testing, and more) were attainable for me. My answer?
Not now.
Perhaps it’s a little selfish. That’s another big takeaway from the year, though: Sometimes you have to be selfish. You have to protect your space and your energy in ways that may feel uncomfortable to better show up. For both yourself, and for the people you care about.
I feel lucky that that I can make this sort of decision, and appreciative of a family who supports me. Now, I get to make some exciting calls, like where I’m going to order Christmas Eve dinner from and which movie I’ll stream first. Recommendations welcome in the comments below.
That’s all I’ve got for this week. For those of you that are reading this and may be signing off for the rest of the year after today, I wish you all the happiness in the world. Thank you for being a bright spot for me in a crazy, hectic year. (But also, I have some REALLY special content coming in the next few weeks, so don’t forget to open your favorite podcasting app!)
… and if your holiday plan sounds a little bit like mine, I hope me sharing this with you makes you feel a little less lonely. The happiest of holidays, from me and mine (AKA, my fake skinny tall Walmart Christmas tree), to you and yours.
PROMPT: Have you been selfish at times this year? With what? How did that feel?
Thanks to Goodr — maker of fun, fashionable, and functional sunglasses that everyone can afford — for sponsoring today’s newsletter.
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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
CHECK OUT: Rambling Runner Virtual Summit
This coming January 15 to 17, podcaster Matt Chittim of Rambling Runner is hosting his first-ever Rambling Runner Virtual Summit. For “folks looking to have the best running year of their lives in 2021,” Chittim will be chatting with some of the top people in the running community, offering up 30 to 45-minute sessions featuring a slew of awesome guests (Roisin McGettigan, Mario Fraioli, Jared Ward + more) on specific topics that affect many runners, from training when races are canceled to injury and how to choose the right sneaker for you. Hurdlers get $25 off their ticket by entering the code “HURDLE” at checkout.
LISTEN: NPR’s Life Kit: A Therapists’ Take on Getting Through a Pandemic Holiday
‘Tis the season to be jolly — or so we’re told. Psychologist and author Andrea Bonior offers some tips about how to navigate the holiday should you also be feeling a little stressed, angry, lonely or guilty.
READ: Virtual Gifts and Gift Ideas for When You Can’t Be There IRL from Marie Claire
Whether you’ve waited a tad too long to do your holiday shopping or indecisiveness has you frazzled, this is a great round-up for anyone that’s looking for the Goldilocks gift for someone they care about.
GET IN ON: Apple Fitness+
I was fortunate enough to spend a better part of the past week testing Apple Fitness+, which launched on Monday morning. To read all of my thoughts, head on over to my review for GQ. One note: To unlock the service, you must own an Apple Watch (Series 3 or later). Also: A huge congrats to past Hurdle guest Betina Gozo on this new chapter in her career! I love seeing you shine!
GRAB: A Website Template from Hurdler Christie Evenson’s Site Shop
If you’re looking to start 2021 with a fresh new website, Christie has got you covered. Her shop features website templates designed strategically for fitness professionals, with every page and feature someone may need! Features include space to list your class schedule, events, and services, as well as a sales page for programs and an instagram landing page for a curated client experience. She’s offering hurdlers an awesome discount, too! Get $50 off of a website template by entering the code “HURDLE” at checkout.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT HURDLE?
I’m so, so glad you asked!
SUBSCRIBE, RATE, AND REVIEW HURDLE:
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JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
Check out one of the Hurdle Sessions, now available on the Hurdle website:
How to Start (and Stay!) Running
How to Take Your Running to the Next Level
Intro to Freelance Writing
Intro to Podcasting
How to Turn Your Side Hustle Into Your Main Gig
Finding Your Power Alone
How to Build a Social Media Presence
Media Strategy for Fitness Professionals
AND * 30-Minute One-On-One Consulting Call *
OR, come set some goals with me on January 6 at 7 p.m. ET, in an interactive, small-group workshop. Get $5 off by using code “2021” at checkout:
End-of-Year Goal Setting Workshop
Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next week.