It feels like the world is one big performance.
Everywhere you look, people are trying to look fine, sound fine, be fine – even when the world feels anything but.
Between the headlines, the chaos, and the things we can’t unsee, it’s easy to feel worn thin before the holidays even begin.
And yet, we still feel that pull to keep up appearances. To decorate, to smile, to host, to make everything seem normal.
But at some point, you realize you don’t have to perform anymore. You don’t need matching napkins, a perfect tree, or a packed calendar to prove you’re okay.
Craving Peace Over Perfection
The older I get, the more I crave peace over perfection. I want quiet mornings with coffee and soft music, not endless to-do lists. I want laughter that feels real, not forced small talk.
Finally, I want connection, not comparison.
It’s strange how easy it is to slip into “show mode” – smiling for photos, posting highlight reels, pretending everything is fine while carrying a thousand tiny worries inside.
Unfortunately, we measure joy by how things look instead of how they feel.
The Pressure to Look the Part
The truth is the world already feels heavy. Pretending doesn’t help. And it’s not just about holidays.
The performance creeps into other corners too – learning how to do makeup for “mature skin,” figuring out what we’re “allowed” to wear after 50, or worrying whether our homes or bodies still measure up.
The world has a way of whispering that we should keep polishing, keep improving, keep proving our worth.
But what if we just stopped?
What if peace looked like showing up as ourselves – laugh lines, comfy clothes, and all?
Choosing Authenticity Instead
Choosing authenticity takes courage. It means being okay with saying no, showing up as you are, and letting go of what doesn’t matter.
Maybe the cookies are from a box this year; maybe you skip the party. Maybe you wear the soft sweater instead of the sparkly one. And maybe you feel lighter because of it.
Finding Joy in the Small Things
When everything around us feels uncertain, simplicity becomes sacred.
Peace hides in the smallest moments – watching the lights flicker, hearing a familiar song, talking to a friend who really listens.
These quiet things can’t fix the world, but they can steady our hearts.
Here are a few small ways I’ve been finding joy again – simple things that remind me life still has light in it:
- Painting or doodling, even if I’m not “good” at it.
- Trying a new recipe.
- Calling or visiting someone I’ve been thinking about.
- Taking a slow walk and noticing something beautiful.
- Curling up with a good book and letting the world fade for a while.
- Listening to old music that still makes me smile.
- Doing a simple craft with my hands.
- Writing a note or thank-you card to someone who made a difference.
- Sitting outside with a warm drink and just breathing for a bit.
None of it has to be big or public or perfect. That’s the point.
These are the quiet ways we stitch joy back into our days – reminders that even in chaos, life still offers soft moments of peace.
A Season for Stillness
So this year, I’m done performing. I want to live the holidays, not stage them.
Joy doesn’t need an audience. It just needs space – and a little honesty – to show up.
What would peace look like for you this season?
Maybe it’s less noise, fewer plans, or simply giving yourself permission to rest. However it looks, may it bring you back to yourself.
May this holiday season be filled with joy, laughter, yummy food, good company, warm hearts and blessings from above.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
What have you been planning for the Holidays this year? Have there been times when you didn’t plan anything and all – and that felt good?