Photo from @girlboss
Happy holidays to you! We have one more to go before the season is officially over and I hope yours has been as stress-free as possible.
![family](https://meganwaldrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_9342-768x1024.jpg)
That was my goal when I flew from California to the Carolinas to be with my family for the holidays. With depression always bubbling below the surface in my heart, I was conscious of what I could do to keep those feelings from rising to the top.
![grandma-granddaugter](https://meganwaldrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_9469-769x1024.jpg)
Turns out, taking a break from writing was the solution. I’ve been working on a memoir since the beginning of October. Every day I’d chip away, averaging about 1,600 words per day. Some days, I did 50. Some days, over 3,000. I’m at about 80k right now.
![mom-daughter](https://meganwaldrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_9500-614x1024.jpg)
And you know what? It feels great for my mind to rest; letting the words breathe and settle onto the page. I even toned down my active social media life, too. Those who follow me on Instagram stories may have noticed I’ve gone from about 20 posts a day to a fraction of that. It was hard at first, but when I caught myself feeling panicked that I wasn’t producing enough content, I took a step back and said, “It’s ok. It’s ok to take a break.”
![family-crying-kid](https://meganwaldrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_9495-768x1024.jpg)
Next week, I’ll post more about dating a commercial fisherman and the lively emails I’ve received from readers going through relationship ups and downs. Until then, I’ll journal every night. Read when I can. And generally not pressure myself into anything that doesn’t feel natural. I hope you’re able to be kind to yourself by giving yourself a break in some ways, too. (You deserve it! It’s ok to take a break!)
![uncle-nephew-talking](https://meganwaldrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_9504-768x1024.jpg)
See you next year! Until then, I hope you have a wonderful rest of 2019. Stop and give yourself a pat on the back for all the growth you’ve done this year.
![family-walking](https://meganwaldrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_9517-768x1024.jpg)
The 2018 “you” is pretty damn proud of all you’ve done and all you will do.
![couple-beach](https://meganwaldrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_9529-769x1024.jpg)
How was your holiday? Do you have any tips or tricks to survive the madness? Please share in the comments below!
Some goodies in case you missed them: