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If the ghosts visited me, I would ask that they be gentle—and, hopefully, accompanied by a wicked sense of humor.

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Yes! I love some dark humor. (Related: Have you seen Spirited yet? I bet you'd love it!)

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I have not! Added to my list now. And in a non-holiday spirit recommendation: I just started Bad Sisters on Apple+ and it's hilarious, with lots of gorgeous sister relationships. Highly recommend!

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Yes! I watched this not too long ago and LOVED it. Sharon Horgan is the best!

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Great piece! I love the messages from the ghosts of Christmas past-present-and future! Great advice. Hope you feel better soon! 💗

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Thanks, Abbey!

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Good for you Katie. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And I love how you worked the Christmas Carol Story into your life.

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Thanks, Pennie! It was a fun writing exercise. And happy holidays to you and yours too! <3

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As usual, just what I needed to hear to give me the gentle reality check that I needed. Katie, you are like the friendly voice inside my head telling me all the things that I tell my friends but refuse to apply to myself (yes, a familiar concept, I know). Thank you for sticking with this newsletter for so long. I hope you feel better soon and you and your family enjoy a wonderful remainder of 2022 <3

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Aw, this is so sweet. Thank you, Sarah!

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And likewise! Here’s to a happy and healthy remainder of the year.

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Yes, we can't go back to 2019. We need to stop trying.

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I wish more people got this memo!

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This: "I’m taking some time to think more deeply about what I want the next year to look like—not just week by week—but as a whole. What values do I want to guide me?"

I am trying to do way more than humanly possible and then get mad at myself for never getting it all done or done well. As I look at my daughter, I am constantly thinking that I don't want her to live life like I am, running from thing to thing with no end in sight. Rather than wish for her to do things differently, this year, I am hoping that I can start living life the way I hope my daughter will in the future. As always, thank you for helping us pause and remember what is important and that it is never too late for fresh starts! So much love my friend!

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Our little ones are such good motivators to change the things we’ve come to accept as normal, aren’t they? It’s wild! Love you too, friend. ❤️

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Whoa! First of all, hope you get well soon. Secondly, what a great piece! You are certainly not the only one tired, I saw myself in a lot of what you wrote.

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Sending you love, Amanda. It’s exhausting out there!

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Amen, Sister. You've nailed it!

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Thanks, Mary!!

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Take care of yourself.

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Thanks, Hellen! The break has been restorative so far.

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I needed this. I thought about telling my subscribers I wouldn't publish next Sunday (which is, uh, Christmas), and then in the midst of writing last week's essay, I forgot to say that — so then was like "well I guess I have to write then." As if people would hate me for taking *one week off* sigh. Thinking about it from a hater's perspective actually really helps me. Thank you.

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I’m so glad it was helpful! I hope you enjoy your week off and get some good rest in!

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Thank you for these important reminders. Please take care of yourself and have a good new year!

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Thank you! xo

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I so often jump to that mindset of “I just have to power through” without questioning it. Do I really have to be the one to push forward when things get hard. Shouldn’t that be a time to rely on others to help carry the load? What can I take off my plate instead of just trying to keep doing everything. Thanks for the reminder to second guess this instinct.

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It's hard to second guess the things that are so well-worn by this point. Asking others to help carry the load can be hard, but it's so worth it.

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