After a six-week pause, I’m finally back...this week reflecting on what finding joy looks like when we’re home for break. In this episode, I talk about the emotional shift that comes from leaving a fast-paced, fight-or-flight school routine and stepping into the slower, sometimes complicated rhythm of being home. As much as we may wish otherwise, winter break isn’t always a holiday Hallmark movie...but joy often comes from taking intentional steps to notice the little things.

Every time I come home, I find myself having an internal conversation about adjusting expectations, navigating family dynamics, and rediscovering joy in the ordinary moments that only exist at home: warm hugs, fuzzy socks, family meals, quiet mornings, and the comfort of familiarity. Joy can feel easier—or harder—to notice when we’re removed from our everyday environment, but slowing down has helped me become more present and grounded.

I also dive into lessons I’ve been learning from the Let Them Theory, setting gentle boundaries, and choosing a few meaningful priorities instead of overloading my break with plans. This episode is a reminder that joy and frustration can exist at the same time...especially when we return to familiar spaces that no longer fit us in the same way they once did.

If you’re home for break and feeling restless, bored, disconnected, or unsure how to fully enjoy this season, this conversation is for you. I hope it encourages you to redefine what joy at home looks like—one small, intentional moment at a time.