Rebel Talk: "Holidays"

The holidays—a season of joy, togetherness, and warmth. But let’s be real: it’s also the season of endless to-do lists, crowded stores, late nights wrapping gifts, and feeling like you’re racing the clock. It can get hectic, overwhelming, and, if you’re not careful, it can steal the very magic you’re trying so hard to create.

I’ve been there—chasing perfection in every detail. The perfectly trimmed tree, the coordinated outfits for the family photo, the picture-perfect table setting that looks straight out of a magazine. We tell ourselves it all has to be *just right*. But here’s the truth: in that chase for perfection, we often lose sight of what really matters.

The Blur of Busy

The holidays tend to move at warp speed. You blink and suddenly the season is gone. Did you take a moment to breathe? To pause long enough to feel it all? I’m talking about the way your kids' faces light up when they see the tree lit for the first time, the smell of cookies baking in the oven, or the sound of laughter echoing through a house filled with family. If you’re so wrapped up in *doing*, you might miss the joy in *being*.

The truth is, life’s best moments don’t come with a filter or a bow tied around them. They come in the form of messy living rooms after a present explosion, in burned rolls you forgot about in the oven, in kids who refuse to wear anything but pajamas for the Christmas photo. Those imperfect, unplanned moments are where the real memories live.

Let Go of Perfect

So this year, let’s try something different. Let’s let go of perfect. The holidays aren’t about *how they look*, they’re about *how they feel*

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Pause. Breathe. Take it all in. Instead of fretting over what’s left on your list, be grateful for who’s sitting around the table. Instead of running to the store for that one last gift, sit down and make time for a conversation you’ll remember years from now. The best gift you can give—to yourself and your loved ones—is to be *present*.

The Ride is the Reward

The beauty of the holiday season lies in its unpredictability—in the chaos of it all. The spilled drinks, the unplanned snowball fights, the ornaments that mysteriously disappear thanks to little hands. That’s the ride. And it’s *beautiful* because it’s real.

It doesn’t all have to be perfect. You don’t have to be perfect. Just let it be. The greatest memories are often born out of the moments when we stop trying so hard and simply allow ourselves to enjoy what’s right in front of us.

So, as the holidays approach, remind yourself of this: it’s okay if the house isn’t spotless. It’s okay if dinner isn’t ready exactly on time. It’s okay if everything doesn’t go according to plan.

Because life—and especially the holidays—are not about perfection.

They’re about love.

They’re about laughter.

They’re about slowing down long enough to appreciate the ride.

So let the season be what it is: messy, beautiful, and unforgettable. Stop. Pause. Feel it all. That’s where the magic truly lives.

Stay Relentless,

Ryan