I almost ruined December by trying to do it right

I have a confession to make:

I still haven’t put up my Christmas tree.

The truth is, I haven’t felt like it this year. I keep meaning to, and then I don’t. So the tree is still in the garage, where it will likely remain until next year.

And it’s not that I’m not in the mood for Christmas. I still love seeing other people’s lights and decorations. I still feel that small lift when I pass a house that went all out.

But me? I’m tired.

2025 has been an exhausting year.

And instead of exhausting myself further by putting up decorations I’ll only need to take down again in two weeks, I’m choosing to skip it, and do the thing I’m always advocating for: Honoring my own divinity.

In particular, this year I’ve learned that rest can look like opting out.

Instead of forcing myself into traditions that felt heavy, I chose to focus on something lighter, more intentional, and more aligned with how I want to move into the new year.

That choice is what led me to create 12 Days of Cheer on asamarizee.com

12 Days of Cheer is a continuous practice of reflection, thoughtfulness, and care. It’s a way of learning how to show up with clarity instead of obligation, and presence instead of performance.

For me, it’s been a reminder that cultivating inner joy and cheer doesn’t require spectacle. It’s about making moment-by-moment, conscious decisions to stay honest with and aware of ourselves in a world that constantly asks us to function on autopilot.

With that in mind, the first half of 12 Days of Cheer focuses on slowing down and listening. Before we can decide what to carry forward, we have to notice what we’re already holding.

Here’s what the first six days of 12 Days of Cheer invite us to practice:

The holiday episode of Case & Point - I'm (NOT) loving it: How they almost stole Christmas is live on Buzzsprout and YouTube, with more broadcast locations to come. This episode is less than 15 minutes long, and investigates the the role and responsibilities of corporations as we move more boldly into a future where the use of artificial intelligence is inevitable.

🎁 Days 7 through 12 of 12 Days of Cheer continue on asamarizee.com New gifts unlock daily. Come back for the next one.

Keep an eye on this space for Season 1 of Case & Point, coming soon!

December has a way of convincing us that everything matters equally, and that if we don’t keep up, we’re doing it wrong. But what I’ve learned over the years is that we don’t create meaning by doing more. We create meaning by choosing with intention, doing what’s authentic and aligned, and being honest about what we can actually sustain.

Take this as your holiday invitation to slow down before deciding what comes next. Before decorating, committing, or consuming, remember to pause long enough to notice what you’re carrying, what you can release, and what deserves your care.

If this season feels quieter than usual, that doesn’t mean it’s empty. It may just mean you’re paying closer attention.

So what did we learn?

Clarity doesn’t require spectacle.

Rest isn’t avoidance.

And opting out can be an intentional act of self-respect.

If you’re creating something right now – a project, a boundary, a new way of showing up – I’d love to hear about it! Hit reply and tell me what you’re choosing to move toward, or what you’re giving yourself permission to leave behind.

Days 7 through 12 of 12 Days of Cheer continue on asamarizee.com, with new reflections unlocking daily. Come back tomorrow when you’re ready!

Thank you for being here, and for practicing clarity with me.

See you in 2026! 💛

Warmly,

Asa-Mari Z.