EP.24: Redefining the Holidays: A Season to Be

In this episode of Be Still With Bobbi, we’re diving into the pressures women face during the holiday season—the need to do it all, show up perfectly, and meet every expectation. But what if this year could be different? Tune in as we explore how to approach the holidays with more purpose, let go of perfection, and create space for what truly matters. If you’re ready to feel more peace and connection during this busy time, this episode is for you.

Hi friends. Thanks for joining me today on the Be Still With Bobbi podcast.

As I’m recording this, it’s the middle of October already, which means the holiday rush is right around the corner. I’m not ready. Are you? 

I was thinking about the holidays this morning – how once October hits and my girls and I start talking about Halloween and costumes and pumpkins and fall colors, the rest of the season seems to be a blur. 

The holidays can feel like this whirlwind of expectations and to-do lists, pulling us in a million directions. But what if, instead of feeling overwhelmed, we could walk into the season with more purpose, more peace, and the clarity to only say YES to the things that truly matter?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately—how the holidays, a season meant for connection and love, have become something we feel the need to *achieve*. And not just achieve, but excel at. 

The world has made this time about DOING rather than BEING. And each year it starts a little earlier than the last. When we should be looking forward to a time of gratitude and peace, it’s often more about the perfect decorations, the perfect meal, the perfect way to show up for everyone else… except, where’s the space for you in all of that? Where’s the space for joy?

I remember one Christmas morning in particular, not that long ago. We’d made the mistake of adopting a puppy the week before Christmas. I don’t recommend this. This puppy, sweet as he was, did not like sleeping in his crate and as a way to help him get through the first few nights, I made myself a bed of blankets on the living room floor so he could see he wasn’t alone.

By the time Christmas morning arrived, I was a zombie. Bleary-eyed and hunched over my coffee with a crick in my neck from sleeping on the floor. I remember watching my girls open their gifts excitedly, one at a time. And all I could think about was how tired I was. Not just because of the puppy. But because as moms, we start thinking about the holidays three to six months before the stores begin playing White Christmas on repeat. And by the time the actual holiday arrives – we’re beat! 

So many of us—especially as women—already feel the constant pressure to keep everything and everyone around us going. We take care of the people we love, we manage all the details, and at the end of the day, there’s little to no room left for *us*. The holidays? They only seem to add to that.

We commit to hosting, to showing up, to overextending ourselves, and often, it feels like there’s no way around it. We become experts at saying yes to everyone and everything but find ourselves leaving out the most important person: ourselves.

As I contemplated this, I wondered, what if we approached this season differently? What if, instead of seeing it as one more thing to juggle, we saw it as an opportunity to return to what truly matters?

What if we could give ourselves permission to say no to the things that drain us? To set aside the expectation to *do* more and choose to simply *be*—to gather with our loved ones without the pressure of perfection, to connect with the ones we care about from a place of peace, not stress?

I created The Be Still Collective because I’ve felt that pressure too, and I know how hard it is to break free from it on your own. This community is for women who are ready to stop going through the motions and start living in alignment with what’s in their hearts. To begin creating space for themselves, even when life feels chaotic.

And there’s no better time to start than now. That’s why I’ve intentionally chosen this season, right before the holidays, to begin this journey together. Because what if, this year, we did things differently?

What if, instead of feeling weighed down by all the demands, you could walk into the holidays with more purpose? What if you had the clarity to say yes to what truly matters and the courage to let go of what doesn’t?

This community isn’t about adding more to your to-do list—it’s about creating space to breathe. To reconnect with who you are, so that when the new year arrives, you’re not starting from a place of overwhelm or burnout. You’re already in the middle of a process of self-discovery and intention.

You won’t need to make resolutions about changing your life on January 1st. You’ll already *be* living it, with more peace and purpose than ever before.

And here’s the beautiful thing—this isn’t a journey you have to take alone. The Be Still Collective is a space where we can walk through this season together, supporting one another, encouraging each other, and making room for what really matters.

I know how hard it can be to say yes to something for yourself, especially during the holiday season. It can feel selfish or like just one more thing to add to the list. But I promise you, saying yes to this isn’t about adding more. It’s about creating space for what you need most right now—space to reconnect with your heart, to hear what God is saying, and to remember who you are outside of all the things you *do*.

So, if you’re feeling that pull—the gentle nudge that maybe it’s time to put yourself back on your own list—I want you to know that I’m holding this space for you. This community is about more than just journaling or showing up to a call once a week. It’s about being supported in a way that makes life feel lighter, more meaningful, and deeply connected to what really matters.

I’d love for you to join us as we move through this season with purpose, not pressure. You deserve that. We all do.

If you’re curious about The Be Still Collective, the doors are officially open. Our first call is happening in two weeks on October 30th. If you’re not already on my email list, but you’re interested in learning more about this community, please shoot me an email to bobbi@bobbigregory.com. Type the words BE STILL in the subject line and I’ll get back to you with all the details. 

That’s it for today’s episode. I’m keeping it short and sweet. And thank you for being here. I can’t wait to walk this journey with you.

Until next time friends, remember to take a breath and be still. So you can hear what your heart might be trying to tell you.

Bye for now …