I always enjoy interviewing my real-life friends, and Alex is no exception! In our conversation, she talks about her experiment to relish Christmastime, which turned out to be the perfect way for her to lead her family in slowing down and enjoying every aspect of Advent, even during a year of heaviness.

As we discuss her fantastic book, Loving My Actual Christmas, I think the below quote captures it all:

“So here we are at the front end of Christmas, and once again, I am determined this year will be different. When I consider what I want to remember, or what I want my children to remember, a year from now, ten years from now, it’s not an exhausted, overwhelmed, slightly crazed Christmas woman who is determined to make every moment magical and in the process gets angry and resentful. I know there must be a more sanity-infused way. One that involves not overdoing, but working toward relishing the here and now.” -Alexandra Kuykendall

This is the PERFECT episode to listen to if you want to live a little lighter this Christmas season.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

♥️ Alex’s experiment to be completely present in her life as it is during the holiday season.

🎄Themes of Advent, Christmas, and Christmastide

✨ Us reflect on hope, love, joy, and peace while relishing the season with practical advice on common Christmas stressors, such as finances, schedules, and extended family.

Books discussed on today's show:

• Our Time to Rise Podcast
• Alex's Instagram
• Free Downloads for Loving My Actual Christmas
• Alex texted me after we recorded, saying she said the wrong title of the book she mentioned! The correct book/title is: The Lives We Actually Have

Grab Alex’s Trilogy:

• Loving My Actual Christmas: An Experiment in Relishing the Season
• Loving My Actual Life: An Experiment in Relishing What's Right in Front of Me
• Loving My Actual Neighbor: 7 Practices to Treasure the People Right in Front of You

Connect with Teresa:

• Instagram
• Website
• Grab a copy of one of my books!

This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co. The music was produced by Anu Alphonse