Slowing down during the speed-up-season
Slowing down during the speed-up-season
What's coming and how to do it YOUR way!
Are you ready? The holiday posts are coming and it feels like the pressure is on to do more and spend more. This is a graphic I made 8 years ago for this time of year!
Here are some contradictions and feelings that come on about now . . .
The Instagram accounts you might follow for minimalism or promoting a lifestyle of less consumerism are still sharing gift guides with affiliate links
You pretty much have to sign up early and spend early or else you really do miss out on big events (think, Christmas Train tickets selling out in early November)
The accounts telling you that you don’t need toys, then tell you which toys to get
Holiday event notifications can be nonstop when it’s getting dark earlier and earlier when all you want to do is go to bed
I’ll be sharing free & low cost holiday options which feels like it goes against “cancel busy” — but you don’t have to do anything on the list if you don’t want to! It’s my job to share and your job to choose what feels right for you.
I just want to reassure you that: YOU get to plan the next 6 weeks of your family life. No matter what comes your way!
Use these 2 strategies to help you prepare before the holiday floodgates really open! Somehow, setting expectations ahead of time can encourage you to focus on what matters to YOU and let’s you feel less pressure or influence from others. Also, less guilt or FOMO for not doing something that doesn’t really fit with your schedule or budget.
SCHEDULE PLAY/FUN SLOTS NOW — and be okay with missing out. You can look at your calendar NOW to see where you might have free nights or days that fit in your already full schedule to find openings for something fun. Hold those! You don’t have to pick how to fill them in yet, but you can be like: Oh, Sunday afternoons would be nice to get out but I’m also helping my future self by saying “no” to anything besides something cozy at home on Fridays because we are ALL tired and I know it’s not gonna go well. Also, maybe make a list of the kinds of things you’d love to squeeze into the holidays (before anything influences you - think about what kinds of things you WANT to do, what do the kids WANT to do?). Santas, trains, tree lightings, holiday lights, events with your friends or community, family get-togethers, foodie crazes, Disneyland, boat parades, ice skating, snow play, annual traditions — what are things your family prioritizes?
BUDGET NOW — and be okay with not going over. This can take just 5 minutes. Maybe you spend nothing and pick free activities? So you can save for a few gifts? Maybe the activities are the gifts? Maybe you’ve saved up all year for something you’ve always wanted to do? Maybe you spend nothing at all.
For both of these strategies, there’s no wrong answer. It’s just what fits your family. Give yourself an early gift of time-to-think and make-a-general-plan!
Remember to have fun and play often,
Michele
As a friendly reminder, make sure you ALWAYS check official sources when you are heading out to any of the locations I share. These are merely suggestions. Only you know what works for your family. Plus, your experience may not be the same as mine — and there can be changes to the hours or unforeseen circumstances or conditions at the suggested locations.
Featured: Los Rios Park and River Street Marketplace
Big news in South County is the soft opening of the long-awaited River Street Marketplace in San Juan Capistrano which has shopping and dining. The Grand Opening hasn’t happened yet and not all shops and restaurants are open yet.
I’ve peeked at a number of the menus of new sit-down restaurants and it looks like I can maybe afford to share a $9 order of fries — but just know they might be fried in beef tallow and avocado oil. A little on the high end for me [insert appropriate emojis]! Never fear, though. The lower cost and mid-range spots are coming when Rodeo River Street dining options open! Here are the dining spots and menus to check out ahead of time. Don’t forget about the established SJC restaurants surrounding River Street Marketplace, as well.
And, in all seriousness, congrats to the chefs and new restaurant owners — it’s not an easy business model and even if it’s not in my price range it might be in yours?
The overall branding of River Street Marketplace is definitely cowboy — and the existing playground fits right in. There is also a large turf area in the center of the shops where kids will naturally turn to playing!
I also have another post that can fit with this one if you want to try taking the train!
Play & Nature News
King Tides are happening this weekend (November 15th-17th) which means extremely high tides and possibly dangerous/flooding conditions in the morning hours at high tide. But also low tides (minus tides) that are good for tidepooling will be in the afternoons around 3. You’ll want to figure out the exact times at the location you are visiting, then get there a FULL HOUR before low tide. That way the tide is going out most of the time you are exploring. Here’s a good tidepooling guide from the Laguna Ocean Foundation which also has the tide table listed.
Supermoon on Friday night! But it’s already pretty big and bright tonight. Go take a peek.
Please let me know your preferences! I think I’m going to be sending out shorter newsletters because even though I have so much to share, I want these free newsletters to be easy and fun for you. More bite-sized. They are getting LONG! So if you have portions you hope don’t disappear or sections you want me to switch out for something else, please hit “REPLY” and let me know what you want!
Updated on the Blog
I added a few more this week! Porto’s has a Bake at Home - Thanksgiving Bundle of a Pumpkin Cheesecake, 1 dozen Turkey & Gravy Potato Balls, and 1 dozen Cheese Rolls. Sounds so good - delivered to your home for $92.47 + refrigerated shipping. Also, Tavern at the Mission in San Juan Capistrano has a Thanksgiving feast menu for dining in.
The lights are on now through January 12th! So don’t feel like you need to rush.
PLAY: Meaning Behind Fall Lantern Walks
This is the section of the newsletter where we talk about PLAY or connecting to nature each week. I might share a video, an article, a book, or something inspiring. Just trying to help keep you empowered to prioritize play to benefit development and preserve childhood!
I experienced my first lantern walk over a decade ago at a local Waldorf school. The purpose of the story and songs that traditionally go with a lantern walk is to rely on our inner light as we approach the darkest day of the year (winter solstice) through an activity that’s meant to reassure and: “Teach children that their inner light can continue to shine even as the sun’s light and warmth wane. In the winter, children learn that the light comes less from the sun and more from within our hearts, homes, and communities.” - Traditional Lantern Walk Celebration Ideas, Rhythms of Play
That same blog post from the excerpt above does a pretty good job of explaining: “In many cultures, a fall lantern walk is a procession that occurs during autumn harvest festivals. These festivals symbolize the quiet beauty of the approaching winter season and remind us to shine our light brightly and share our joy with others during the darker half of the year. Each lantern festival’s meaning may differ, but the central idea of bringing light into the darkness and gathering together to share joy, practice mindfulness, and celebrate community remains a common theme.”
It has been fun to see these becoming popular outside Waldorf school settings and I hope you think of the meaning behind it if you are lucky enough to attend one!
Tiny Hike Teaser: This one is a classic tiny hike with an opportunity to extend in so many directions!
OC Tiny Hikes are a PAID add-on/upgrade to this FREE newsletter subscription. When you become a paid subscriber, you get a mini trail guide sent to your inbox each week in addition to this regular free newsletter.
If you want some ideas in time for family visiting over the holidays or over school breaks and before the rains come, now is the perfect time to subscribe!
You can subscribe for $5 a month OR $39 a year - just be aware that it’s NOT a full year since I don’t send out hikes in August/September. It’s still a good deal because for those 10 months of trail guides, it costs only $39 for the annual subscription and would cost you $50 total if you were paying monthly. So an annual subscription is more like a 22% savings on 10 months. [Again, there’s a pause on monthly billing for the months of August and September to skip the heat of summer and then it restarts back in October for prime fall hiking season.]
If you are becoming a new subscriber in November 2024, I highly recommend coming on as a monthly subscriber for the $5/month. Then you can see if you like it and cancel any time.