😫Get Free: Bump the Burnout

Hey Get Free Fam!

We’re in the fa-la-la-la-la season and maybe it needs to be fa-la-la-la-NAH. Are you drinking your water? Getting enough zzzs? Spending some time in sunlight? I know the answer is probably no, but while it’s the season of giving, give yourself the gift of your hydrated, sleep-regulated self. You deserve!

Here’s a hot take (not so much a hot take, but warmer than a snow-covered sidewalk): Everything doesn’t suddenly change at midnight on December 31. Don’t try to force ALL THE THINGS into the last two weeks of the year. If you ain’t done it by now, make like Elsa and let it go. We try again in 2026. 

Also, a little GFSA (Get Free Service Announcement): this time of year is really hard for some folks; navigating loss, navigating complicated feelings about family and expectations, navigating financial pressures. It can be a lot. So, remember to extend kindness wherever you can, to yourself and to others. We never know what people are going through, right?

The Get Free Guide: We OUTSIDE!

Before we dive in, some shoutouts and thank yous! We had a TIME at the Get Free live event last Friday at Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena, CA. Your Body, Your Numbers tackled some big questions about health and the data that dictates our journey. Our guest speakers, health educator Stephanie Capps and gym owner Marcus McDuffie, were absolutely fantastic.

We tackled things like BMI, body image, strength training and eating protein. Stephanie also gave us tips on how we can interact with our doctors and other medical staff, and we even dived into how AI can help with health goals. Note: AI is not a replacement for seeing a healthcare professional, but it can help with things like meal prep inspiration if you’re trying to hit nutrition goals. Menopause also came up: more to come on a follow up event in the new year.  

I also want to say a big thank you to AfroLA for producing the Your Body, Your Numbers guide. So many great questions came up at the event, so they’re adding more details to reflect the conversations. This will go out to attendees as soon as it’s wrapped up! But we don’t gatekeep!  If you would like a copy, drop us an email at [email protected] and type “Health Guide” in the subject line. If you have questions, follow this link to add your submission for inclusion in this or future health guides. We’re getting free, y’all!

So, what are we diving into this week?

I’ve been thinking a lot about energy, especially as we come towards the end of the year. We spend a lot of time thinking about all the things we need to catch up on, all the meetings we’re trying to squeeze in before we slow things down for the holidays. And I’m just going to say it: it is too much. We all have to slow it down and slow our roll.

Burnout is on steroids at this time of year. The number of meeting requests (some just put on the calendar - can you imagine?); the “Hey, I need this done before December 23” pressure — it’s a lot. And there are also the pressures outside of work: feeling like we need to be out having fun, being around people, doing all of the things. I promise I’m not trying to sound like The Grinch!

We can get burnt out at work. We can also holiday a little bit too hard. We can burn out trying to have a picture-perfect season. This week, I found myself stressed about not having planned things to do with my kid this holiday. I had to interrogate why I feel this way. The expectation — that this time of year has to be perfect, that everybody has to have fun, that we have to fill our time with activities — where does this come from?

As a kid, I loved the winter holidays. Not because we did a whole lot. We cooked food, played games, watched bad TV, folks came over and just hung out. It was about togetherness. And that reminded me that we have to get free of the pressure we put on ourselves for perfection at the end of the year.

Let me say this again: we have to get free from the pressure of perfection at the end of the year.

You may notice your patience wearing thin. You may look at your calendar and see no spare time. You may realize there are people you really want to see, but your calendar is too full. So I propose that we think about how we get free this holiday season, so we can step into 2026 having spent some time in reflection — and maybe even rest.

Our kids will be okay if they don’t do all the things. Our kids are tired too. It’s okay if you don’t throw a huge holiday party. It’s okay to keep it casual. It doesn’t have to be all of the things.

So how can we get free?

I’ve started by giving myself permission. Here’s an example: for years I’d buy holiday cards, or make them. Ask me if they got posted (hint: they did not.) Folks who are local and who I saw would get one, but otherwise they’d sit in the house. I love the theory and intention of cards, but I fall way down on execution. My husband, to his credit, has taken on this annual task and I’m grateful. I’m also fine if they don’t go out. Or: as one friend does, I’m okay if they go out in the new year. It’s the thought and intention, not perfection! A little January cheer should be encouraged. Beats opening bills!

Here are some things to try to bump the burn out this season:

1. We are firmly in “circle back” season: Handle what you can and let go of the rest. If there are small things you need to finish for peace of mind, do them. But the rest can wait until January 5 or beyond.

2. Pause before you say yes to a party invite: Our November and early December selves are writing checks our holiday week selves can’t cash. It is okay to say no to party invitations and social engagements. Prioritize the people you want to see and the energy you want to expend. It’s meant to be a season of joy, not obligation.

3. Prioritize rest. Take a walk. Breathe fresh air: Catch up with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. This is a season where everyone is a prime candidate for getting sick. Because we’re tired and we’re out in these streets doing the most. It’s okay to take time for yourself. It’s a season of giving — including to yourself.

4. Take time to reflect: There can be pressure to be all “New Year, New You”. Don’t fall for it. OId Year, Same Me is also okay and is worthy of attention. Be sure to spend some time in reflection if it helps you. But if another time of year is better (like a birthday or another time of significance) this is good too! Work on your own timeline.  

5. New Year’s parties: If you don’t want to be raging on December 31 and watching the ball drop at midnight then don’t do it. Start the new year rested!

If you do use the end of the year as a time to look back and set fresh intentions, I recommend a program by Jo Saxton called Hello/Goodbye. It’s a process of review and reflection on your joys and sorrows, your high and lows - all through a faith-based lens. I’ve done this for the last four years and have found it really helpful. Not an ad! Just sharing what works for me. 

So what are you letting go of and getting free from this holiday season? Remember: it’s a season of giving, not obligation. You can spend this time how you want to.

🚀Get Your Life: Things to read, listen to, enjoy🚀

📚What I’m reading: Never mind what I’m reading (which is nothing but strategy documents and expense reports this week.) What are YOU reading? Send along your suggestions for the GFFs! If you’re inspired to buy a book as a gift, check out your local independent bookstore like my favorite Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena, CA

🎧What’s on the pod: Kevin Fredericks (aka KevOnStage) is HILARIOUS. The algo served up his podcast, Not My Best Moment and I checked out this episode with Issa Rae. Worth a listen!

🎵 Soundtrack for the week: Don’t disown me, but this little holiday ditty has been living in my head rent free. Thank you, NSYNC. Sidenote, can we have a conversation about just how TERRIBLE this video is?! No budget, much?

✨ Send your recommendations to [email protected] or hit reply to this email! ✨

THANKS FOR READING!

If you got something out of this issue of The Get Free Guide, give us a follow or a shout out on Instagram and share the love with a friend. We don’t gatekeep around here!

See you next Friday!