Nutrition by Dawn - Blog

There’s something magical about a quiet December.

This year, I discovered a new reason to love a minimalist holiday season, and it wasn’t about simplifying meals, skipping the shopping frenzy, or even cutting back on travel plans.

It was about having space.
The kind of space that lets you say yes when it really matters.

Every year, my town hosts a Hanukkah menorah lighting. It’s a sweet tradition, meaningful to my family and to the community. But this year, the family that usually organizes it had other obligations. And with the date fast approaching, there was a risk the event wouldn’t happen at all.

Normally, my calendar might’ve been too full. My energy is already spoken for.
But this year… I had room.

Room in my schedule.
Room in my head.
Room in my heart.

And so, I said yes.

Yes to stepping in. Yes to rallying support. Yes to making it happen.

I reached out to neighbors and friends and, in doing so, found myself connecting with new people I might not have met otherwise. And that, in itself, became a gift.

A minimalist season isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about doing the right things, the ones that matter deeply, quietly, and personally.

And when you build in margin, when you leave space in your schedule, your plans, your energy, you create room to say yes to the things that align with your values and your community.

You create the opportunity to be part of something bigger.

If you’ve followed my work, you know I usually talk about food, movement, and nutrition. But this is wellness, too.

Community connection has a powerful effect on our mental and emotional well-being. Studies show that when we feel connected, seen, and supported, we thrive. We heal better. We live longer.

So yes, I’m still going to talk about fueling your body and staying active through the holiday season. And I’m also going to remind you to nourish your spirit, with connection, with tradition, with purpose.

Leave space for joy.
Say yes to what lights you up.
And let this season be one you look back on with peace and pride.