It is cold. OK. I know this is the second Sunday in a row I’ve talked about that, but it damn well is — cold.
And honestly, I don’t mind it. I like the layers, the coats, the scarves. It lets me indulge my clothing obsession beyond summer wear, and I’m fully leaning in.
This past week, my column looked at letting go of thinking and moving into doing. Many of us get stuck in the thinking. And while thinking matters, it doesn’t come close to completing the goal.
I spent most of my week writing, which makes me very happy. I worked on columns with deadlines and columns without. I also started venturing into a book. Part of that process, of course, is figuring out what kind of book it wants to be. I haven’t settled on that yet, but I’m looking at options. That’s both thinking and doing — success. I’ll take all of it, the small wins and the big ones.
We’re only a few days from Christmas, and I already find myself a little sad. This season just whizzed by. I actually enjoy Christmas Day and the few days after — the feeling of having done everything leading up to it and then simply enjoying what comes next. That part makes me happy.
I had my “weekly” coffee with my friend Ellen. I put weekly in quotes because when things get crazy, or trips get in the way, weekly becomes a little less than weekly — and that’s perfectly fine.
Ellen has a trait I find deeply admirable. She doesn’t let much phase her — or at least I’ve never seen it. Even bad service at a restaurant or coffee shop doesn’t ruffle her feathers. If that happened with my sisters and me, it would be a very different experience.
What I love is how I end up mirroring her calm. If it doesn’t bother her, I’m inspired to keep things low-key too. (Although I did go home and write an honest Google review because, seriously, come on — there were more employees than customers in that coffee shop.)
Try to keep it low-key this week. It’s only a few more days until everything culminates, and then we can all take a deep breath.
Merry Christmas, NDY-ers.
— Rindraty Limtiaco is not done yet. Drop me a line at [email protected]
♦️5 Gems for the Week
🏃🏽♀️ Keep this week as simple as you can. No RUNNING! (Yes, that was a fairly common refrain when I was a child.) Seriously though — stay present. You won’t regret it.
😴 Take a nap. Take a nap on Christmas Eve — for one hour. If Christmas Eve at your house is anything like mine, close your door and your eyes for one hour. You’ll feel more refreshed and ready to take on the day.
🎄 If the holidays are hard, reach out. If you’re having a tough season for any reason, remember there are people in your life who want to be there for you. Sometimes you have to make the first move. And if you know someone who’s struggling, reach out. Let them know you’re there. It may be the best gift you give.
😌 Borrow someone else’s calm. Spend time with the people who steady you. Let their energy set the tone — even if just for an hour.
🏆 Notice the small wins. A finished paragraph, a warm cup of coffee, a quiet moment after the chaos. They count more than you think.
Meet the Best Alcohol Replacement of the Season
As the nights get colder and holiday gatherings fill the calendar, I’ve been craving a new kind of ritual—something warm, social, and feel-good, without the fogginess that often follows a drink. And this season, I found it.
Meet Vesper, Pique’s brand-new, non-alcoholic adaptogenic aperitif—and truly one of the most exciting launches they’ve ever released. Crafted with rare botanicals and science-backed ingredients, it delivers everything I love about a drink: the unwind, the mood lift, the sense of connection… just without the alcohol.
Each sip brings a soft drop in the shoulders, a gentle lift in spirit, and a clear, grounded presence. Sparkling, tart, and herbaceous, Vesper feels luxurious and intentionally crafted—perfect for holiday parties, cozy nights in, and an elevated start to Dry January.
Because it’s new (and already going viral), it will sell out fast.