Hey Rebel,
Welcome to week 3 of 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.
December has a funny way of turning women into professional push-through-ers.
We cancel rest instead of plans. We override our bodies instead of disappointing people. We tell ourselves it’s not that bad and keep going, even when our energy, hormones, and nervous systems are begging us to stop.
This week in our Sparkle Without the Shoulds series, we’re talking about sparkly boundaries. The kind that protect your body before burnout forces you to.
Holiday Parties
There was a Christmas season where I was invited to three parties on the same night, and instead of choosing one… I went to all of them.
I left the house around 3 p.m. and didn’t walk back in until almost midnight. I remember changing outfits in the car, grabbing bites of food when I could, smiling, laughing, showing up, absolutely committed to doing the whole holiday thing. Because we just say to ourselves that it is just part of the holiday season!
And then the next day? I did it again.
- Christmas breakfast at 9 a.m.
- Volunteering at Christmas with Santa at noon.
- Another party that night at 6 p.m.
At no point did I stop and ask myself, “Can my body actually do this?” The only question I asked was, “How can I make it all work?”
Because canceling felt rude. Choosing one felt selfish. Slowing down felt like failing the season.
So I pushed through. And I looked fine, maybe even impressive, but inside, my body was exhausted, overstimulated, and quietly keeping score. I didn’t feel present. I felt performed.
Looking back, I don’t remember the joy as much as I remember the depletion. That’s the part we don’t talk about. Women aren’t celebrated for listening to their bodies, but instead we’re praised for overriding them.
Which is why this week matters so much!
The Truth We Don’t Say Out Loud
Women aren’t bad at boundaries. We’ve just been taught that pushing through is more respectable than honoring ourselves. But your body doesn’t need you to be polite. It needs you to listen.
This Week’s Practice: The Sparkly Boundary
This week, choose one plan, obligation, or expectation you are allowed to pause, change, or say no to without over-explaining (this is next week's podcast episode!).
That could look like:
- Canceling plans when your body says no
- Leaving early instead of pushing through
- Saying I’m going to rest tonight and stopping there
- Choosing a quieter version of something you normally power through
Reply and tell me:
What’s one sparkly, guilt-free “no” you’re giving yourself this week?
Which brings me to this week’s podcast episode:
🎙️ Ladies Don’t Cancel Plans. They Push Through Anyway.
If this email hit close to home, I go deeper into why women override their bodies, how pushing through became a badge of honor, and what it actually costs us, physically and emotionally.
This episode is especially for anyone who’s ever felt selfish for resting.
Listen to it here before it goes live on Thursday and see what is ahead for the next two episodes (hint: they are fire!!).
If You Want More Support Right Now
If you’re reading this thinking, “I need structure and guidance, not just awareness,” that’s exactly why I’m hosting my upcoming challenge, Beat the Afternoon Crash. Sneak peek: did you know there is actually more than just one type of crash?
This free 4-day challenge is a 30 minute class each day to help provide a supportive, hormone-aware reset for women who are tired of pushing through and ready to work with their bodies instead. By the end of the challenge 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!
The challenge is Monday, January 19th to Thursday, January 22nd at 7PM EST/6PM CST, and you will be the first to know about it! Get on the waitlist to be the first to know when sign-ups open!
What’s Coming the Rest of This 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 4: Soft Body Week
✨ Week 5: Your 2026 Sparkly Superpower
So, give yourself the permission to cancel plans if you want or need to the rest of this month!
Stay Loud. Raise Hell! - Even Through the Holidays!
Tracey
That Hormone Girl
