Embracing Grace Amidst Holiday Hustle

‘Tine Zekis
3 min readNov 29, 2023

Welcome to the whirlwind of holiday preparations and year-end deadlines! As we navigate through this busy season, I wanted to share a reminder that’s close to my heart: let’s stop “should-ing” on ourselves.

It’s easy to get caught up in the “shoulds,” pressured by endless to-do lists and societal expectations. We should send that email on time, decorate the perfect holiday setup, attend every event, and meet every deadline. But what if, just for a moment, we gave ourselves permission to pause?

A Black woman at her computer looking stressed with her eyes closed and fingertips touching her forehead.
Photo by ​Getty Images​ on ​Unsplash​

The Gift of Leeway:

I’ve realized that sometimes, the greatest gift we can give ourselves is leeway. Life is unpredictable, and our ability to adapt is a strength, not a weakness. So, instead of drowning in a sea of “shoulds,” let’s embrace the art of giving ourselves grace.

Practical Steps to Embrace Grace:

  1. Reassess Priorities: Reflect on what truly matters during this season. What brings you joy, peace, and fulfillment? Focus on those priorities and let go of the rest.
  2. Set Realistic Expectations: It’s okay not to do everything perfectly. Set realistic expectations for yourself, acknowledging that you’re doing your best amidst competing demands.
  3. Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you…

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‘Tine Zekis

Christine (‘Tine) Zekis is an author, international speaker, software engineer, and the Founder & CEO of Getting Black Women Paid