Surviving the Season ‘Spice Style’

When the Season Feels Bigger Than You

Every year, when Hallmark holiday movies roll out, eggnog and gingerbread kits overrun the grocery store, and every house I drive by is lit up like a Christmas disco, something funny happens in my chest. A cocktail of nostalgia, tiny bursts of peace, a dash of anxiety, and that sneaky sadness that shows up uninvited. The holidays seem to amplify everything: joy, grief, loneliness, love… and the unspoken expectation that you smile like a greeting card while thinking, “Can someone please pass the cookies and spare me the carols?”

In times like this I pause and reflect upon the epic “holiday lessons” learned from someone very special. She was small in stature but mighty at heart. I am speaking, of course, about my spunky-stubborn, sassy-spirited, comically curious, lovingly loyal, full-on diva of a rescue dog, Spice. Her wisdom wasn’t the loud, in-your-face kind. It was deeply profound and stuck with you. Her wisdom arrived in the simplest, most beautiful forms at times when I needed it most: a gentle gaze, a tiny nose-boop, the warm curl of her body against mine. She was the quiet alchemist of the season, turning chaos into calm and survival into something sacred.

Lesson 1: Honor Your Feelings and Your Space This Holiday Season

Spice never tried to “power through” anything, and she never forced herself to be cheerful. She was authentically herself: bold, lovable, and unapologetically awesome, no matter what anyone else thought. She practiced self-care on her own terms, honoring what was best for her rather than anyone else. She held her sacred space and listened to her own needs.

When life felt overwhelming (thunderstorms, loud noises, unfamiliar faces) she either came straight to me or retreated to the bathtub, waiting for me to join her and wrap her in a warm blanket. Watching her taught me a simple but powerful lesson: survival isn’t about doing everything perfectly or meeting everyone else’s expectations. It’s about being honest with yourself and honoring what you need in each moment.

This holiday season, give yourself permission to:

• Step back when things feel overwhelming
• Protect your energy and your personal space
• Ask for support from the people who truly see you
• Take small, manageable steps through difficult moments

Spice reminded me that honesty with yourself is enough. You don’t need to sparkle, force a smile, or tackle the whole holiday at once. You just need to care for your heart.

Lesson 2: Make the Day Smaller

One thing about Spice: she never tried to live the whole day at once. She moved through life in tiny, manageable pieces one sniff, one nap, one wag, one breath. The holidays can feel enormous, overwhelming, and impossible to “do it all.” Watching Spice taught me a simple strategy: break the day into bite-sized moments. Focus on what you can handle right now, instead of the entire month.

This season, try to:

• Focus on one activity or task at a time
• Give yourself permission to skip unnecessary obligations
• Celebrate small wins — even something as simple as enjoying a cup of tea
• Taking life in small chunks doesn’t make you weak; it makes you resilient.

Lesson 3: Choose Comfort Without Apology

Spice genuinely chose comfort over guilt. She curled into blankets, hid under the table during loud gatherings, and stayed close to me when she needed reassurance. She didn’t see comfort as weakness. She saw it as wisdom. The holidays can pull you in every direction. Learning to choose comfort without guilt is an act of courage. Try to:

• Take breaks when you feel overwhelmed
• Say “no” to events, tasks, or people that drain your energy
• Create small spaces of calm like a cozy chair, soft music, or a favorite treat

Choosing comfort is not retreating; it’s surviving the season in a loving, sustainable way.

Lesson 4: Give Yourself the Love You Give Others

Spice gave love effortlessly and received it with an open heart. Humans struggle more with this. We give endlessly but forget to allow ourselves to be cared for. Spice’s lesson: you deserve the same tenderness you offer everyone else.

This holiday season:

• Accept help when it’s offered
• Let yourself rest without guilt
• Celebrate the small acts of care you give yourself each day

Lesson 5: Surviving Doesn’t Mean Loving Every Moment

The holidays are complicated. They can be beautiful, painful, nostalgic, and overwhelming all at once. Spice never acted like life was only one thing. She allowed everything to coexist. Her wisdom reminds us: you don’t have to love every moment to survive the season. You just need to make it through, gently and honestly. This season:

• Let your feelings be messy and real
• Accept that some moments will be hard and that’s okay
• Focus on moving forward, moment by moment, with self-compassion

Sometimes, just getting through the day is enough. And that is more than enough.

Final Thoughts

The world tends to push us into holiday roles of cheerful, bright, and put-together. But the truth is, the season belongs to you, too. Your feelings, your pace, your healing, your heart. Spice taught me that survival is not a dramatic triumph. It’s not a heroic leap. It’s a quiet choosing moment by moment to keep moving with love. And if all you do this season is survive? That is enough. You are enough.