Tis’ the season for slowing down to savor what this season is all about.
Just before Thanksgiving I learned my thyroid had gone haywire again, and suddenly many of my festive plans nearly came to a halt.
If you’ve read my book Dwelling or followed my wellness journey, you might remember I live with an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s, along with a history of hypothyroidism, anxiety, and panic attacks.
Over the years I’ve been able to almost completely reverse many of the most debilitating symptoms. By prioritizing my health, I also haven’t had a virus or major illness in more than four years.
Staying well is something I don’t take for granted—it’s a daily commitment. Yet autoimmune conditions are unpredictable, and a recent string of events pushed my thyroid into another tailspin.
It’s a long story (I’ll share more after the holidays), but right before Thanksgiving I discovered my TSH had spiked to 208, and several other lab values looked equally concerning.
For anyone who manages thyroid issues, you know that number is alarming.
Gratefully—surprisingly, even—I’ve mostly experienced cold sensitivity, a foggy brain at times, and a few mild anxiety episodes. Overall I’m doing well and beginning to recover.
I know that without my daily wellness routines, a resilient immune system, and the endocrine support that helps my body heal, I would feel far worse. I remember too well how debilitating it can be.
Because of how high my thyroid levels were and how important it is to focus on health, I chose at Thanksgiving to step back from as much as possible and allow myself extended time to rest and recover.
It’s been a long time since I’ve taken this much time off, but I’ve learned that listening to our bodies, paying attention to our health, and giving ourselves grace are essential.
Making space for self-care—especially during the holidays—isn’t easy. I postponed major deadlines, paused decorating and posts, and let go of a few projects I had planned for this month.
While I’d rather not live with autoimmune challenges, I’m grateful for this quieter season. It’s been restorative and unexpectedly inspiring. Sitting still has sparked new ideas for my home, and I’m excited to share them in the coming weeks.
On the topic of making time for ourselves, my new guided wellness journal, Dwelling Well, is set to release the first week of January. It complements the book Dwelling but can also be used on its own.
The journal’s timing feels right for me—and I hope it will be helpful for you, too.
I’m looking forward to using this journal in 2020 to refocus and restore balance to my life. I’ll share more soon, but even if you don’t usually keep a journal, I think you’ll find this one fresh and practical. If you’d like, please consider preordering a copy; you won’t be charged until it’s released.
What do you have planned for Christmas?
We have family arriving this weekend, and I can’t wait. We’ll build gingerbread houses, watch favorite movies, enjoy good food, and attend a Christmas Eve service. I also plan to curl up under my coziest blanket, sip tea by the fire, and reflect on what this season truly means.