The Gentle Art of Celebrating on Your Own Terms: Value Your Time and Safeguard Your Energy

Dear Gentle Souls,

Happy holiday weekend!

As I write this, it’s 48 degrees and raining. The weather is messing with New Englanders in true East Coast style. Tick tock—time moves us all closer to the annual summertime parades, family barbecues with hamburgers and beers, and firework celebrations. The U.S. established Memorial Day to honor military veterans who sacrificed their lives for America and American values. At the top of the values list: freedom.

Photo by Evan Wise on Unsplash

So, Gentle Soul, I write this to, again, encourage you to honor your personal freedom this summer: value your time and safeguard your energy. Between Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day, our social calendars fill up. Here are a few reminders of your social rights:

• You can say no to things that you don’t enjoy.

• You can mitigate time spent at the events you can’t avoid (boundaries are good).

• You can change your mind.

• You can use discernment about who you want to be around or how you want to interact with people.

• You can opt out of social events if you’re feeling depleted.

• You can choose your own way to mark iconic holidays.

I often harp on our time-limited lives—each passing day means one less day on the planet. In the spirit of freedom and the intent to own your time, the Gentle Souls Revolution is one in which you assert your free will. Perhaps these holidays are opportunities to practice that.

Inhale, exhale,

Xo, Esther