A Mindful Christmas

Happy Friday you wonderful humans.

This will be my last correspondence for 2020. It’s almost gravy day, Christmas is a week off and in a few weeks, it’ll be 2021. After a year like no other, I want to leave you with a few of my closing thoughts.

Over the next few weeks, we will all (hopefully) have an opportunity to slow down, switch off and reflect on the chaos that the last 12 months have thrown at us. It's been a ride. It's been emotional. But we have all made it this far, and you should all be immensely proud of yourselves for that. Take time to appreciate the next month or so, you deserve it. Here are 3 thoughts to help you do so.

1. Breathe: After the year that was, it's easy to get caught up in the Christmas hype. Everyone wants everything done yesterday, and we can feel the pressure of our own, and our family's expectations. If/ when you feel the dreaded sense of overwhelm, give yourself permission to slow down, take a breath, and shift your physiology towards a relaxed state.

2. Celebrate together: We all have very different family situations and Christmas Day especially can look very different for all of us. Connect with those you love, and look out for the people who may not have anyone to spend the important days with. Virtus will be operating through the holidays (with a potential Christmas Morning session) so you'll always have a place to be at 1/2 Torca Terrace. Don't be an island. My door is always open, my phone is always on for anyone who needs some company or a chat.

3. Shop Local: I probably sound like a broken record on this, and I'm ok with it. Local businesses aren't just another business; they are the life's work of many of the leaders and wonderful people in our Virtus Family. They are places that mix passion and love with community, and are one of the things that make our tribe so wonderful. So rather than supporting Bezos or any of our other corporate overlings this Christmas, support our Virtus Family. Hit up Em at EmVHair, Sam at Commonfolk, Tommy at Drops of Juniper, the boys at the Snake Hole or any of the wonderful businesses in our community. Hit this link for a list of the Virtus Family Businesses. I'm sure everyone here would be happy to chat with you about a bespoke Christmas present for your loved ones.

Finally, we are getting together tonight to cap off a brilliant year with a couple of drinks. 4-9pm next door to Virtus at Bay Events. Get around it, get amongst it, and come for a 'socially distanced' cuddle.

Be safe, and be amazing. I love the lot of you.

Below: An excerpt from one of my favourite books, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy. (Shop Farrells in Mornington rather than Amazon)