No matter what holiday you celebrate this time of year you can feel a sense of magic in the air. This year I find myself feeling a sense of relief as life has gotten back to its (new) normal. Holiday parties, white elephants, and family gatherings are back- in some cases whether we like it or not. I hope that one thing we can agree on is that this time of year is also perfect for rest and relaxation.
Every year I am out of the office between Christmas and New Years and this year will be no exception. All client paperwork, required minimum distributions, tax lost harvesting, and so much more is done prior to Christmas Eve. This way I can dive headfirst into the holidays knowing that everything is done to close out the year.
Don’t get me wrong, it can feel like sprinting in a marathon trying to get everything done before Christmas Eve. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.
The last week of the year also has holiday magic to it. The world is silent. Still. People are away on vacation or spending time with their families. And the hustle and bustle of the holiday season comes to a halt.
Next week, I plan to read endlessly. Cook recipes that I have been storing away on my Pintrest boards. Most important of all, I plan to reflect on 2022.
It has been an incredible year. For those of you who don’t know I moved my wealth management practice this year to expand my capabilities and services I could provide for clients. Although it was a bigger undertaking than I could have ever imagined it has also been the most rewarding experience thus far in my career.
During this down time, I also want to plan and prep for 2023. I have so many things planned for the upcoming year with more ideas and dreams brewing inside of my head. I have quickly learned that if you don’t take this time and space to rest and relax you will exhaust yourself before any of these amazing things come to fruition.
With that, I encourage you to do the same. Whatever hobby, activity, rest and relaxation, or more time with the kids do it now. The pandemic taught us that human connection and doing the things we love is so important. It’s why I talk so much about using financial planning to build your dream life. And don’t worry we will do plenty of that in 2023. But give yourself some time over the next week to prepare for all that is coming.
And with that I wish a happy holidays to all… and to all a goodnight. See you in 2023!
