Public Service Announcement
Just because you’ve rebranded it to some clever new name
(that holds to the same original traditions) doesn’t mean you’re actively stopping the harm inflicted every year this horrific holiday is celebrated and promoted.
Can’t get past the first round of tea and anxious to know how to spend your Thanksgiving instead?
Check out this great article from Cultural Survival that shares 8 Ways to Decolonize and Honor Native Peoples on Thanksgiving.
So the two most common responses to my question?
“I don’t really celebrate, but it’s tradition” - This kind of no questions asked autopilot move is dangerous.
and
“I know, but it’s one of the few times everyone in my family or friends can be off work and spend time together. You know, it’s about family time.” - Ironic considering this specific holiday celebrates a lie used to cover up genocide, which includes countless Indigenous families and friends. I bet they would have liked to have had more time together, too.
Okay, now hold that thought, and stay with me as we transition for just a bit.

We live in a society where time is money. The systemic white supremacy model for operating business is focused heavily on productivity, assuming that you’ll accomplish more if you work 40+ hours a week. Therefore, the allotted time off from work and accessibility for life balance is significantly reduced. And the culture within most organizations is that you’re celebrated for putting in more hours of work. And less about how you work best. I saw this all the time during my time in the corporate world. It became a low-key competition amongst my peers.
None of this is sustainable, which is why people feel burnt out. And end up living their lives on autopilot and merely going with the flow because they’ve been conditioned to believe they have no control or that only minimal improvement is possible. Which is so untrue. As individuals, we have a lot of power. When we come together, it is exponentially greater. But let’s continue on.

So Whitney, how can I introduce more balance, ease, and breaks into my life + work?
Great question; I’m glad you asked!
In the following 5 ways, let’s check ’em out!
Understand Your Limitations
It’s easy to compare yourself to others. If you use the dangerous logic that other successful people are working 100 hours a week, it’s tempting to think you must also. However, you really don’t need to do that, nor should you.
It’s not healthy.
It’s not healthy.
There are 24 hours in a day, and you need to sleep at least 7 of those hours, exercise about an hour, and eat for about three hours a day. Then, of course, there’s relationship building and maintenance with others and yourself. That can look like spending time with your family, friends, personal enrichment through learning, self-care, and strengthening your emotional health.
Sure some of these things may be spread throughout your week, but if you keep crowding your days on repeat, you won’t have time for any of it. Catch my drift?
If you really want to fit it all in, you’ll have to be realistic about time and your own limitations in terms of resources financially, mentally, and physically.

Know Your Priorities

Determine Your Daily Energy Levels

Delegate and Automate When Possible

Set Up and Organize Properly For Freedom + Flexibility

Final Thoughts
If you’re now saying AMEN to ALL of that, then take the time to share this conversation with your friends and family so they too can stop buying into the idea that fake holidays are the only time they can connect with one another. This is what it means to be in a community and to protect the lives of one another. Everything in life and in business is a full circle.