Deep Breaths

A post yom-tov check in and meditation.

We did it!

It’s Sunday afternoon. I’m half-awake on the couch, and we just sent Chaya off, back to school in Chicago. (I can put myself back there instantly, and to this day I hate goodbyes.) And OMG, where do we even start?

What a month!

Deep breaths. I keep thinking about the breadth of emotions and energies—physical and spiritual—that we’ve experienced. It’s quite something. Deep breaths. The spiritual journey that the High Holy Days, Sukkos, and Simchas Torah take us on is a lot. Add to that the hostages coming home, and we are emotionally overcharged. Deep breaths. I don’t know about you, but it’s a lot! I’m feeling quite wiped out :). Deep breaths. Meal after meal, service after service. Deep breaths. Hostage reunion videos on repeat, facing and reconciling the impossible and the unfathomable. Deep breaths. A lot of family togetherness. Deep breaths. I think it will take some time to come down from this, so I’m just here checking in with you all.

We’re a bit off schedule with our usual consistent essay drops, but we’re back! This holiday season was truly beautiful and incredible for me, and I’m sitting here in gratitude. And I’m touched out, tapped out, and that’s okay, right?! If any of you were to tell me that you’re exhausted and depleted from the holidays—even though they were wonderful—I’d say, “Of course you are!” But for some reason, when it comes to ourselves, we think it shouldn’t be this way and we judge ourselves. What’s new? But I know that it’s one thousand percent human and to be expected, and all those voices are just voices.

So, if you need a reminder like me, I’ve got you. Every year after this season, I really try to tune in to what I need to recover (or start the process). Some years it’s more accessible than others, and that’s also okay—we do what we can. This year I don’t want to, or feel like it’s a good time to, leave town, but I’m going to find a day or two this week to go off the grid and recharge with some alone time. I really need it :). Sometimes I marvel at how much alone time I could actually handle—it’s a lot.

Bottom line, I am super excited for this upcoming year! I think it’s going to be great. I don’t exactly know how it will all pan out, but I feel deep in my bones the potential and possibility for so much growth and beauty, and I’m determined to stick to that narrative even when it inevitably gets a bit rough at times.

Happy re-entry.

Deep breaths,

Chavie