The calendar is littered with more social events than work events. The pace of life seems a little slower, or at least the cold mornings are helping me enjoy coffee a bit longer. Little packages are appearing in corners of the house or getting boxed up for the mail and put by the door. More cookies and cakes and raviolis crowd one another on the counter. We’ve almost made it. The season of giving is here.
[1]
I will start my annual pilgrimage of making biscotti non-stop for family and friends—a full-time commitment and emotional journey. It’s for them but it is also for me. It reminds me of growing up and family and walking from the cold air into a warm house that smells like the holidays. It caps off each year’s journey with a feeling of abundance and joy.
Let this season not just remind you of giving to others but giving to yourself. No matter what the year has revealed, there is something to toast to. In that vein, here are some ideas for celebrating you, your health, your ambitions, and your journey this year. After all, bringing the year to a close with celebration is as important as setting intentions for the future.
Journal
- What are you proud of that you accomplished this year? At work? At home? In running?
- What would you change?
Thank you notes
I aimed to send these at Thanksgiving, but now I am thinking New Year’s Eve will be my deadline. The family picture is out! Not everyone has a shot with the crew at the beach in all white. Not everyone has a crew. Write to those who really impacted you this year.
A few of mine will go like this: “Thank you so much for letting me drop off my six-month-old when all I needed was an hour to leave the house and work out. I honestly couldn’t make it through this year without you!” I love putting this on paper. Somehow it brings the favor back to life, and fills the space of the season with friendship instead of wrapping paper. Save yourself from traffic, save your money, remember what made your year.
Give yourself a gift
I probably bought $500 worth of workout clothes in the last month for myself, because it’s a thing that makes me feel comfortable and good and gets my butt out the door for a run or workout. And me getting out the door is good for everyone. Get some Lululemon leggings or waterproof shoes and keep it moving. Your steps, runs, and mental health are something to celebrate! If you are out there shopping, stop by Savoy Market or Julie’s Tea and get yourself a snack or delish sandwich. Make the day about you getting a treat too!
[2]Set new goals
It’s hard to not think about how soon it will be January. Here are just a few upcoming runs to put on your calendar that definitely should not be missed:
- Monday, January 1 – New Years Day event with Outfront Endurance [4], starting at Faction Brewing at 11:30 a.m. There’s beer, discounts, and food after a 5K or 5-mile New Year trot.
- January 7 – Hot Chocolate Run [5] (San Francisco) is a fan favorite 5K, 10K, 15K with a hot chocolate party afterwards.
- January TBD – No Excuses Mom Alameda [6] usually does a local Alameda version of the Hot Chocolate Run.
- March 15-17 – Oakland Marathon [7] starts and finishes at Kaiser Center for the Arts. The major Bay Area event includes a marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, and kids run.
Contributing writer Lena Jones is an event producer adventuring with her family in Alameda and beyond. Contact her via [email protected] [8]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Lena-Jones [9].