Permission to Rest, Mija

I hope you had a wonderful holiday and spent it however you wanted. Typically, the theme of Christmas is being with loved ones, but this year, I found myself looking at it differently.

Instead of traveling, I decided to stay in, spend time alone, and reflect. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to see family—I love them—but something in me said, “This is exactly what you need.” And I’ve been working on listening to my gut lately.

I’m not going to lie, though—at first, a little voice crept in: “Who spends Christmas alone? Does this make me a loser?” Seriously, who came up with that idea? There’s so much pressure to make this holiday feel “special” or a certain way, but I’ve realized it doesn’t have to look like a big family gathering to mean something.

So, I caught up on shows I’d wanted to watch, journaled, took some long walks with my dog, and even spent time staring into the abyss at the beach (10/10, highly recommend). I also finished some craft projects and started a few new ones. It felt good to focus on me.

Most importantly, this time was incredibly reflective. I worked on letting go of things that no longer serve me and gave myself the space to rest instead of consistently producing. Less scrolling on social media means more being present. By day 4, the itch to work hit me, and I thought, Why not write about it? So here we are!

If you’re like me and have made work your identity, you might understand the challenge of slowing down. Who am I if I’m not working? I’ve been leaning into hobbies unrelated to productivity or profit—things like sewing, crocheting, and pottery. These simple activities have been soothing my soul and healing my inner child.

With 2025 on the horizon, I’m excited to spark creativity in others! If you’ve been wanting to explore graphic design or learn something new, join my Beginner Illustrator Class on January 29th! I’ll teach you all my favorite tips and tricks so you can feel confident diving into Illustrator. Don’t worry; this is a beginner-friendly space—no pressure, just fun!

Let’s make 2025 your year of growth and creativity. Click below to sign up or reply to this email with any questions. Spots are limited, so grab yours soon!

I’d love to hear from you, too—what’s something you’ve done recently that felt right for you? What’s one thing you’re doing differently this holiday season? Reply to this email or drop a comment on my latest Instagram post @chingonainc.

Con amor y creatividad,
Viridiana