Soft Ease In To the New Year

Dear reader,

It was one of those gentle days in the middle of December, the kind that feels like it’s moving at its own careful pace. The day was overcast, which made the light soft, the air cool but kind, and nothing in particular demanded urgency. Our favourite bakery had opened a small pop-up just around the corner from where we live, and it felt only right to go there. To support them, yes, but also to carry home a little paper bag filled with warmth.

We lingered longer than planned, fingers brushing over hand-made paper decorations (we even got to make our own), and the space smelled faintly of butter and sugar, and for a moment, the world felt both quieter and kinder.

These are the kinds of days I want to remember as the new year slowly begins. Small, tender, unremarkable in the best possible way. A reminder that joy often arrives when I get to create.

As we step into a new year, I hope it treats you kindly. I hope it moves gently with you, offers moments of warmth when you need them most, and leaves room for softness, curiosity, and rest.