Today, I say, “Black Friday can wait.”
Why? Well, I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’ve been moving faster and faster each year as the holiday season approaches. So, this year, I decided to hit the pause button.
I barely have time to breathe in the meaning of Thanksgiving before being bombarded with the frenzy of Black Friday sales that now start weeks before the turkey even hits the table. (Or in my case this year…the crab and cheese enchiladas.)
So, I asked myself this question. “Are we losing sight of what these holidays are really about?”
Thanksgiving was meant to be a time to pause, reflect, and feel gratitude for the blessings in our lives. Instead, it seems we’re encouraged to spend it strategizing our shopping lists or waiting for sales to drop.
Christmas, too, has been swept up in this tide of consumerism. A celebration that once centered on the birth of Jesus Christ and the light He brought into the world has, too often, become more about the presents under the tree than the presence of love, family, and faith.
“Well, Christine…if you want to change things, it starts with you.”
Here are two reasons why, this year, Black Friday can wait.
I had spent time preparing my own Black Friday offers, but as I finalized the details, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d be contributing to the noise. It felt out of alignment with my values—and the message I try to share through my work and my blog.
As I reflected, I was reminded of two key pillars I often discuss in Retirement Reimagined: gratitude and connection.
Gratitude is at the very heart of Thanksgiving—a time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the blessings we already have. It’s a chance to shift our focus from what we feel is missing to what we cherish most in our lives. And it’s not just a seasonal practice; gratitude has the power to shape how we see the world, infusing each day with a deeper sense of peace and contentment.
This isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned how important gratitude is to your overall well-being. Read more in my Gratitude blog.
And then there’s connection—a theme woven deeply into the meaning of Christmas. It’s a season that calls us to be present with others, to share love and joy, and to give not just material gifts but the gift of ourselves. Whether it’s a kind word, a shared meal, or simply showing up for someone, these moments of connection reflect the light and hope of the Christmas story.
In my Power of Connections blog, I talk about ways to combat the loneliness and social isolation that are now a public health crisis according to a U.S. Surgeon General study released a couple of years ago. The report highlighted that social isolation and loneliness are associated with a significantly increased risk of premature death, and can increase the risk of conditions such as heart disease, depression, anxiety, and dementia.for more insights.
Isn’t this holiday season the perfect time to turn that around? I think so.
When we lead with gratitude and seek connection, the holidays take on a richness that no sale or shiny object can replicate.
This season, I’m reminding myself to slow down and embrace the moments that matter most. Maybe it’s a quiet moment of gratitude, a heartfelt conversation, or simply sharing a meal with loved ones. I hope you’ll join me in finding your own meaningful ways to celebrate what truly makes the holidays special.
And the Black Friday deals I was working on? I’ll share them with you after the first of the year (yes, with the same discounts). In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful, joyful holiday season.
And, the Black Friday deals I was working on? I’ll share them with you after the first of the year (yes, with the same discounts). In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful, joyful Holiday Season.
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