It's a Rooted December

whoa whoa whoa, what's the rush?

It’s that time of year when the music-streaming recaps roll out and I’m either embarrassed, perplexed, or satisfied with the songs I’ve had on repeat.

And honestly? As my life has been settling into this new environment, like many of us around this time, I find myself in a deep reflection phase. Between the broken TV deliveries and the back-and-forth travel to San Francisco, these past few months have reminded me that the end of the year is all about the deep dive.

So instead of rushing into goals and aspirations for 2026, I’m letting my lessons, my wins, and even the losses settle into my days.

I’m letting them take root this December.

If you have a minute, keep scrolling.

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ROOT {verb} to establish deeply and firmly.

It’s only been a little over a month since I moved to Houston, and already I feel myself reconnecting to my roots.

It’s the little things—the convo about candles with the cashier at Dollar Tree, a simple “thinking of you” text or invites into community—that make me want to root even deeper into this feeling.

The holidays haven’t felt the same in over a decade. Once my grandmother’s dementia started to take over, the five-star matriarch-level hosting experience my family was spoiled with began shifting.

It’s wild how you can grieve something before it fully changes; it felt like God was preparing us for a decade of holidays with a permanent missing piece of the puzzle we could never put back.

And year after year, I fought it. I’d take that puzzle piece and try to force it into plans to spend the holidays anywhere and do anything…until something sat me down. Until grief tapped me on the shoulder and said, girl please relax.

And be still.

Every December, I’d end up surrendering to that stillness, letting myself mourn, remember, pray and make peace with that puzzle piece not fitting anymore.

Now I’m in a new city, new phase and yet none of it feels new. None of it even looks the same but my soul feels familiar here. And I’m realizing in little reminders that everything leading up to this moment is part of the bigger plan unfolding in its own timing.

Last year (November 30, 2024 to be exact) I wrote in my journal about pouring into myself first so my light could shine from a place of abundance. But now? I realized I was actually writing this stage of my life into existence without even knowing it.

That’s what makes this moment feel so full-circle.

I am my own ANCHOR.

And perhaps one of ya’ll can relate—this is the first time in a long time where I feel myself settling in. I’m rooting. I’m grounding. I’m integrating. And after seasons of repeated cycles where I just pushed through, it finally feels like something is clicking and that puzzle piece is starting to fit again.

So because I’m feeling that feeling, I don’t want to rush past it. Lets make it a moment and not jump straight into thinking about what’s next. Lets honor where we are right now and give this month the space to breathe, build, and root.

So before you start to map out 2026, I want to invite you to root with me.

In whatever way that looks like for you, just be honest with yourself.

Be grateful for what grew and what still needs tending to, and let those roots show.

If you don’t know where to start, here are a few prompts I’m using:

• What did this year reveal about who you truly are vs. who you thought you need to be?

• Where do you feel most rooted and what helped you to return to yourself when you felt untethered?

• What are you ready to release to step into this next season?

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My thoughts are hella scattered this week. I can write a million posts. But to spare your inbox and to empty out my brain here are this week’s few ifs, ands our buts:

• It’s been a minute since we got a Nimberly episode and this was such a clever way as an animator to announce her creative pivot into fashion:

• One of my favorite spinners, Lovie of Summer School Radio recently celebrated five years on The Lot Radio and I always enjoy her sets while I’m creating. My recent “smoke break” was brought to me by episode 105. It sparked many ideas and few aha moments, so perhaps it will for you too:

• Girl, what?! The “I AM NOTHING AGAIN!!!” gag was too real. I want to say it’s the Capricorn in Issa Rae that doesn’t feel successful when she’s not in the act of creating for TV but after watching this full episode from KevOnStage’s “Not My Best Moment” where she describes the phase she’s in, I honestly get it as one who constantly works on self improvement. How do you out do yourself…again?

• While in a deep squat in my yoga class, the song Toronto by Snoh Aalegra was playing which led me revisit all my fave UK/Euro girlies over one weekend. I’ve been enjoying how Olivia Dean is showing up on the interwebs and giving us those silky effortless tones in her recent COLORS show with “A Couple of Minutes”:

• And lastly, I think I found a coffee shop rotation in my Houston neighborhood.

  • The Sunday Press is located in the park and has adult swings - get their satisfying Houston Honey Tea for a pick-me-up.

  • And Slowpokes has been my go-to when I need nourishment and the bustle - try the Let it Brie flatbread and report back :)

Whew! If you’ve made it this far you’re a real one, I love and appreciate your time.

That’s all I’ve got for now. There will be much more on the other side of this week.

Until next time, be well!

Love,

Reesa