27 Comments

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

Expand full comment
author

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

Expand full comment

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!

Expand full comment
author

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

Expand full comment
Dec 13, 2022Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar, Rebecca Coates

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

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Abbey!

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment
author

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

Expand full comment
Dec 13, 2022Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

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

Expand full comment
author

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

Expand full comment
author

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

Expand full comment
Dec 13, 2022Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

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

Expand full comment
author

I wish more people got this memo!

Expand full comment
Dec 13, 2022Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

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!

Expand full comment
author

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. ❤️

Expand full comment
Dec 13, 2022Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

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.

Expand full comment
author

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

Expand full comment
Dec 13, 2022Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

Amen, Sister. You've nailed it!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Mary!!

Expand full comment
Dec 24, 2022Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

Take care of yourself.

Expand full comment
author

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

Expand full comment
Dec 19, 2022Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

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.

Expand full comment
author

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

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment
author

Thank you! xo

Expand full comment
Dec 13, 2022Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

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.

Expand full comment
author

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.

Expand full comment