Hey Rebel,
Only 2 weeks left in our Sparkly December series. This is the month where we stop performing holiday perfection and start telling the truth about what our bodies are actually going through.
This week in our Spooky to Sparkly December series, we’re talking about something that sounds simple but is wildly uncomfortable for most women:
Letting the body be soft without explanation.
Not earning rest. Not justifying fatigue. Not proving you deserve care.
Just… listening.
Oh Lordy, Look Who's Forty
Years ago (8 years to be exact), I volunteered to co-lead an organization focused on raising money to help others. It mattered deeply to me. The work was meaningful, the mission was important, and I took the responsibility seriously, probably too seriously.
I pushed myself to meet everyone’s expectations. I stayed late. I showed up early. I carried the emotional weight of making sure everything worked and everyone was supported.
And then came the night of the big celebration.
Instead of ending the night with the community and celebrating after the being event, I ended up in the emergency room. Yep, diagnosed with the flu and complete exhaustion.
My body had tapped out.
I went home and crawled in bed. I slept for three days straight.
I missed my 40th birthday entirely. I know, sad! I slept right through it.
Then spent another five days slowly recovering from the flu.
No cake. No celebration. No memory of that milestone at all.
I had pushed my body to meet the expectations of others… and my body collected the debt.
That experience changed me.
It taught me that when I push my body and ignore it long enough, my body doesn’t whisper, but instead shuts everything down.
Since then, I’ve learned to soften. To listen sooner. T
The Truth We Don’t Say Out Loud
Soft Body Week isn’t about doing less for the sake of it. It’s about ending the habit of overriding yourself.
Especially the habit of overexplaining.
So many women feel the need to justify:
- why they’re tired
- why they’re resting
- why they’re canceling
- why they’re slowing down
Your body doesn’t need a diagnosis, a deadline, or a dramatic collapse to deserve care.
This Week’s Practice: Softening Without Explaining
This week, practice giving your body what it’s asking for without explaining it to anyone, including yourself.
That might look like:
- resting without listing all the reasons why
- choosing comfort without apologizing
- eating, moving, or slowing down based on sensation — not rules
- using fewer words when you honor your needs
Softness isn’t weakness. It’s prevention. It is investing in your health!
Reply and tell me:
How is your body asking for softness right now?
Which brings me to this week’s podcast episode:
🎙️ Ladies Don’t Offend. They Overexplain.
This episode digs into why women feel compelled to justify their bodies, their needs, and their boundaries and how overexplaining becomes a nervous system response, not a personality flaw.
If you’ve ever felt like you needed a whole backstory just to rest… this one’s for you.
Listen to it here before it goes live on Thursday and see what is ahead for the next six episodes (hint: A few of these topics are going to be HOT).
If You Want More Support Right Now
If this email has you realizing you’ve been pushing past your body’s signals for a long time, I want you to know there is support coming.
My upcoming challenge runs January 26–29 (I had to push it back a week if you thought you saw it listed as January 19-22), and it’s designed to help you reconnect with your body in a structured, hormone-aware, and sustainable way by taking small steps!
This free 4-day challenge is a 30 minute class each day to help you will know what type of crasher you are, create a plan to beat the crash, and a back up plan for when things go sideways! Afternoon crashes are real and there are actuallly TWO types of crashes!
Be the first to know about it by getting on my waitlist! Good news, it does come with replays so if the dates do not align well with you, you can still get all the goods!
One Last Sparkly, Should-Free December
All month long, we’re building new traditions; the ones that support you, not your to-do list. Here’s a peek at what’s ahead:
✨ Week 5: Your 2026 Sparkly Superpower
Stay Loud. Raise Hell! - Even Through the Holidays!
Tracey
That Hormone Girl
