How I Survive the Days Between Thanksgiving and New Year's
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When I got sober almost two decades ago, they referred to this time of year as the "Bermuda Triangle." Before that, I always thought of the Bermuda Triangle as a place where you went and the potential for getting lost was high! In fact, both can be threatening to your life.
It starts with Thanksgiving and ends with New Year's. It is a time where I think we all go through a wave of emotions—often feeling alone, lost, and misunderstood.
We made it through Thanksgiving, and we are now 27 days away from Christmas. It is so important to stay emotionally balanced!
How do I do this?
I pray and meditate every morning. I try to do this for an hour, but I know a lot of you don’t have an hour—even 5 minutes is a great way to start your day. Prayer is asking God, and meditation is listening. I try to remember that God’s will is what is happening right now. At times, I think God must have a sense of humor because what is going on in the moment can be really tough! Those are the times when I must rely on my faith and trust.
Another tool I use is called the Pause App. I set my phone to remind me once in the morning and once in the afternoon to just take a minute and turn everything over to God. It is really grounding. I know that I have no power over other people, but I can ask God to take care of others. This alleviates the pressure that comes with constant worry and thoughts of the future or the past.
This time of year also brings a lot of pressure when it comes to giving. It is what the holiday is all about, but it can bring anxiety, especially when groceries and gas are at an all-time high. When I was young (I am 57 now), people always gave gifts that they made. In fact, I remember someone bringing over small pretzels that my friend had made with the most amazing spices. I still remember that over two decades later! The time and effort put into making a gift is so much more memorable than bringing a gift from TJs. So don’t stress—find something to make that is in your budget.
One last little tip on how to manage this time of the year: Get outdoors.
If you are in the North, I know that it is cold. Some days are gray, and some days it may be snowing, but getting out in whatever elements are out there will bring you joy. Getting your body moving will get your endorphins going, and it is scientifically proven that getting outdoors will change your perspective. Get outdoors even if it is hard to push yourself—do it!
Being born in the late 60s, it was taught in my home that self-care is selfish. I believe the contrary. We need to take care of ourselves if we want to be better for all of those around us. I know that if I don’t take care of me, I am a difficult person. I need to take care of the little things: prayer, meditation, pausing, and getting some form of exercise.
What is best about all these tools is that they don’t cost any money. Besides the gifts, of course—but even a large bag of pretzels can go a long way! I have included the recipe below as a little gift at the start of the real holiday season.
You made it through the first corner of the triangle—be proud of yourself! I hope you find these other tips helpful. Just think about this: before you know it, it will be January 2nd!
If you have any other tips, I would love to hear them. Also, if you have any recipes or ideas that friends could make for gifts that don’t cost a lot, please share.
Thanks for taking the time to read my newsletter. Sending big hugs!
Have a fantastic weekend.
XO Bizzy
Recipe Bizzy fam, savory pretzel fans! Let's amp up that Utz bag with Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Crunch—crispy, garlicky, cheese-dusted bites that scream game-day or snack-attack perfection. No baking needed, 10 min prep, serves 4–6. It's addictive without the sweet tooth hangover.
Ingredients (Uses ~1/2 bag Utz pretzels)
Item
Amount
Utz small pretzels
4 cups
Unsalted butter (melted)
3 tbsp
Garlic powder
1 tsp
Onion powder
½ tsp
Grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup
Dried Italian seasoning
1 tsp
Sea salt
Pinch (to taste)
Cayenne pepper (optional, for kick)
¼ tsp
Steps
Melt & Mix: Microwave butter till melted (20 sec). Stir in garlic/onion powder, Italian seasoning, cayenne, and salt.
Toss the Crunch: In a large bowl, drizzle butter mix over pretzels. Toss till coated (hands work best—get in there!).
Cheese It Up: Sprinkle Parmesan evenly, toss again. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Chill & Munch: Refrigerate 10 min to set the cheese. Devour or store airtight up to 3 days.
Twist It: Add everything bagel seasoning for NYC flair or ranch powder for dip vibes. Calories: ~150/serving—guilt-free crunch!
This'll have you hooked—savor it slow. What's your go-to savory snack hack?