As soon as October rolls around, life shifts into high gear. The holidays come with plenty of joy, but they also bring a season of planning, performing, and participating — all before there’s even time to take a deep breath.
Mastering the Holiday Delivery Maze
For me, the season starts with weeks of preparation to ensure our holiday delivery schedules for grocery stores stay within acceptable limits. It’s a puzzle with a hundred shifting pieces: adjusting for shortened workweeks, confirming product availability, coordinating driver routes, and making sure every store gets exactly what it needs—exactly when it needs it.
It’s satisfying work, but it’s also the type that keeps you up at night mentally checking off lists you haven’t even written yet. Every detail matters, because holiday shoppers don’t slow down, and shelves definitely can’t afford to be empty.
Music Amid the Chaos
Then there’s the part of my life that brings me joy in a totally different way: performing in a community band concert. Rehearsals, set lists, last-minute changes, and the nerves that sneak in right before stepping on stage — it’s all part of the experience.
Music has a way of grounding me, even when everything else feels chaotic. That moment when the lights go up and the first note rings out? It makes every hectic day leading up to it worth it.
Fundraising Season in Full Swing
On top of that, this time of year seems to be a magnet for fundraising events. Whether I’m volunteering, organizing, or supporting the cause, I seem to find myself woven into multiple functions before I even realize how crowded my calendar has become.
They’re meaningful, and I take pride in doing my part — but let’s just say my weekends have officially been spoken for until further notice.
Making Space for Myself
Somewhere between drafting delivery timelines, rehearsing music, and helping support big causes, I’ve had to remind myself that finding time for me isn’t optional — it’s necessary.
So I’m learning to carve out small pockets of breathing room. A quiet hour with a book. A walk without a schedule. A night where I say “no” without guilt. These little resets help me show up fully for everything else I care about.
The Balancing Act Continues
The holiday season will probably always be a whirlwind for me — full of behind-the-scenes work, meaningful commitments, and unforgettable moments. And while it can feel overwhelming at times, it’s also a season that reminds me of community, purpose, and the importance of taking care of myself along the way.
Here’s to balancing it all — one schedule, one concert, one event, and one quiet moment at a time.
