Wow hi, we made it to the last week of 2022. The other day, my chatty (🥴) Uber driver started talking about getting together with her family over the holidays. “It’s gonna be a mess. We can’t even get to the five golden rings part of the 12 Days of Christmas without arguing,” she told me.

My last newsletter of 2022 is dedicated to her—and to any of you who might sympathize with her holiday stress. So read this Q&A, do your best Seth Cohen at Chrismukkah, and remember that your mental health and well-being are way more important than promising Gran that the fruitcake isn’t dry at all.

—Rod

How to avoid jingle bell rock bottom

Society tells us that the holidays should be this magical, wonderful time for all, but that’s not always reality. The holidays can be tough—you might feel more anxious or remember things you’d rather forget. You might be holly and jolly one minute and spiraling the next. I mean…hot chocolate with mini marshmallows only gets us so far.

The pressure we put on ourselves to feel joy when we’re feeling as much anxiety as the Grinch in that getting ready scene (“that’s it, I’m not going” 🤌) can be a lot. So I’m here to remind you to give yourself grace this season, even if that means locking the door to your childhood bedroom and listening to this playlist all afternoon.

Alright, to your Q and my A.

 question 
Hi Rod, I’ve had a tough year personally and professionally, and I’m feeling pretty burnt out. While I’ll get a break from work since we’re closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, I’m headed home to my parents’ for a week, which I know won’t be the most relaxing time. Any tips on how to enjoy time at home while still keeping my sanity?—Sarah C.

 answer 
A week away from your own space (and tbh your own bed) is tough no matter where you are. Throw family into the mix and it can seem like an eternity.

Don’t get me wrong—I love spending time with family. But the shift in routine can put me on edge. Between trying to explain to my grandpa that being on TikTok is not the same as being on TV and fielding my mom’s constant “sweetie what do you want to eat?” questioning...the holidays are just a lot.

So in an attempt to save you from a good old-fashioned menty b, I’ve put together a list of a few things that help me chill tf out when I’m about to flip my lid.

Take a timeout. Whether that’s going for a walk to get some fresh air or binge-watching The Great British Bake Off alone under the covers in your old twin-sized bed. Do you. And don’t feel bad for needing some time to yourself.

Read a book. There’s nothing better than getting lost in a book and forgetting all sense of reality for a few hours, and I know you've already re-read your A Series of Unfortunate Events set too many times to count. So a few my team and I have loved lately (also, email us your best book recs while you’re at it, please!) →

• NSFW by Isabel Kaplan

• Have I Told You This Already? by Lauren Graham (Lorelai 4Ever 🫶)

• California by Edan Lepucki

Move your body. Elle Woods said it best: Endorphins make us happy. If you’re feeling up to it, find a gym, studio, Peloton ride, or even a free YouTube workout (like this feel-good yoga flow or this Britney Spears holiday-themed dance workout) to sweat out all the small and big stuff.

Communicate. If your family is anything like mine, sometimes they just can’t take a hint. Over the years, I’ve learned that telling them that I need some space goes a lot further than trying to dodge them when we’re all under the same roof.

In the end, remember this: In order to take care of others, you need to take care of yourself. So it’s important to do just that!!!

And one more thing: As much as I hope this newsletter brings you joy, I also know that many are struggling right now. Know that you are not alone. There are resources like the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (dial 988) that are here to help.

An organization also near and dear to my heart is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. If you've got the means, please consider donating to this important cause this season. ❤️

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Things to Slack your work besties

…while you send out your last “let’s circle back in the new year” emails.

She’s high on my list for coolest people of the 2020s (so far). As the youngest poet to perform at a presidential inauguration, Amanda Gorman talks style, confidence, and her all-time favorite word.

Ladies and gentlemen…me. Oxford English Dictionary’s word of the year is goblin mode. "Goblin mode is like when you wake up at 2 a.m. and shuffle into the kitchen wearing nothing but a long T-shirt to make a weird snack, like melted cheese on saltines.”

Justin Hartley, AKA Kevin from This Is Us, stars in this Netflix rom-com-drama that’s the perfect holiday flick to watch/doze off to on one of your days of holiday break.

Okay ILYSM, but that’s all for this year! I wish you all a stress-free and cozy few weeks. The team and I are going to rewatch Laguna Beach and try to forget what we do for work.

JK, I’ll be back in your inbox the first week of January. Dare I say…SEE YOU NEXT YEAR?!

—Rod