The December soft reset

Celebrating our favorite @ Wolf & Co. in Bucktown

Happy Sunday, Fam! A Soft-Life Check-In for December

First, let me say thank you for following along. The amount of love, messages, and genuine feedback I’ve been receiving lately has been incredible. Reading all of the kind things you all share with me really put me in a reflective state -- thinking about my dreams, my goals, and all that I want to accomplish. And you know what I realized something about myself? I feel out of sync.

My routine is scattered. My workout schedule is inconsistent. Some days I don’t drink an ounce of water until two in the afternoon. I genuinely believe our bodies try to communicate with us long before we hit burnout. They whisper first. They nudge us gently. The problem is, we don’t always slow down enough to listen.

A friend recently shared that she “dilly-dallys” in the morning, and I absolutely loved that. It made me look at my own mornings and ask, why don’t I allow myself that kind of softness? I wake up and immediately dive into work emails like my job starts before sunrise. I walk my dog around 8:30, and everything after 9 a.m. becomes structured chaos. Imagine me with a chai in one hand, a bagel in the other, and a silent prayer for a Coke Zero by early afternoon. It’s relatable, but it’s also revealing. Why do I feel like I must be fully productive by 8 a.m.? This entire 8-to-5 structure was modeled after the schedules of farmers generations ago, and somehow we’ve absorbed it like it’s the only valid way to be a functioning adult.

So this month, I decided I’m doing daily check-ins with myself. Nothing complicated. Just five simple questions that help me return to center.

Have I seen the sun today?

Have I had enough water?

Have I moved my body in some way, whether it’s walking, boxing, stretching, or something gentle?

Have I nourished my mind or checked in on someone I care about?

Have I eaten a real meal that includes protein, veggies, and carbs?

If the answer is no to any of these, it’s okay. I will reset tomorrow. That is my focus for the rest of December. Yes, I want to finish strong and accomplish what I can, but I also want to have fun. I can be a bit of a hermit, but recently my gym family reminded me just how important community truly is. And honestly, I’m grateful that you’ve decided to join this community here at Butler & Co. too. My entire year-end outlook is only possible because of this incredible community that you all contribute to.

As you wrap up December, don’t forget to invest in yourself in whatever way feels authentic to you. Rest when you need to. Drink your water. Let yourself take the long way home. Say no when your spirit says no. Say yes when joy calls your name. Check in with yourself before you reach the point of burnout. And set boundaries that protect your peace. If you’re looking for support with that, one book I always recommend is "Set Boundaries, Find Peace" by Nedra Glover Tawwab. It’s transformational.

Wishing you a grounded and gentle week, fam. Stay soft, stay centered, and stay connected to yourself.