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Anyone else feeling the winter blues creeping in like an uninvited houseguest who refuses  to take a hint? Not full-on seasonal affective disorder—that’s a clinical diagnosis and a whole different level of serious—but that low-grade “why am I suddenly powered by vibes and caffeine alone” feeling that shows up when the sun clocks out at 4:30. The winter blues are basically your body’s way of saying, “Ma’am, where is the sunlight? Where is the warmth? Why are we living like cave people?” Shorter days mess with your internal clock, your mood, your appetite, your sleep, and your ability to remember where you put your keys. Add in the fact that we all move less, snack more, and socialize only with our thermostats, and it’s no wonder winter feels like a slow emotional Wi-Fi connection. But fear not—there are  ways to outsmart the seasonal slump until spring decides to stop playing hard to get. Step Away From the Screens Sometimes the best thing you can do is put your phone down before it becomes permanently fused to your hand. Read a book (I along with every lady in my office has read a Reese’s  Book Club book called First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston and it was two thumbs up https://amzn.to/4a1jNcw Chase the Sun If the weather allows, go outside and let the sun hit your face like you’re in a skincare commercial. Even a short walk helps. My doctor recently informed me that I need more weight-bearing exercise, so now I’m out here walking with ankle and wrist weights like a budget superhero. There’s no reason you can have cute weights while breaking a little sweat. https://amzn.to/3Nn8vXr Nourish Your Body Vitamin D is your friend. Hydration is your friend. Vegetables are… well, they’re trying their best. Winter is not the time to run solely on cookies and vibes, tempting as it may be.    Protect Your Sleep A consistent sleep routine can help keep your mood steady. Winter will absolutely try to convince you that 2 a.m. is a perfectly reasonable bedtime. It is not. Tell winter to mind its business.  Some people swear by the Hatch alarm clocks . https://amzn.to/3LU0RTT Lean Into Comfort Self-care doesn’t have to be fancy. A cozy blanket, your favorite candle, a warm bath, or a spontaneous spa day can work wonders. If it makes you feel like the main character, it counts. Stay Connected Isolation is winter’s favorite trap. Fight back by meeting a friend for coffee, dinner, or even a Target run. Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery and someone to laugh with about how you’ve been wearing the same hoodie for three days. Know When to Reach Out If your winter blues start to feel heavier, or if they begin interfering with your daily life, it might be time to talk to a professional. There’s no shame in getting support—think of it as calling in reinforcements. At the end of the day, winter might try its best to drag us down, but we don’t have to go quietly. With a little sunlight, a little movement, a little hydration, and a whole lot of self‑care, we can outsmart the seasonal slump one cozy, caffeinated step at a time. Spring will  show up eventually—but until then, we’ve got this. Please share you how you kick the winter blues with us here at KTCWK. (Amazon affliates may earn commission on qualifying purchases made through unique links)

Somewhere on the internet, someone decided to call them “grandma hobbies.” Supposedly because they’re quiet, slow, and gentle. Which is adorable… and also wildly inaccurate. Because if you’ve ever seen a group of grown women wielding power tools at AR Workshop after two glasses of Pinot Grigio, you know there is nothing “quiet” or “slow” about it. My friends and I have been doing grandma hobbies long before TikTok slapped a label on them — and we do them with enthusiasm, snacks, and a healthy disregard for our own volume. Crafting, Cocktails, and Questionable Decisions One of our favorite spots is AR Workshop in Bristol, TN , where you can build custom décor under the guidance of an instructor who has the patience of a saint. They let you bring your own food and drinks, which means we show up like it’s a tailgate with paintbrushes. And the best part? They clean up after us. If that’s not luxury, I don’t know what is. Then there’s The Fox’s Den Boardgame Café in Blountville , a cozy little gem where you can sip delicious drinks, snack on treats, and play board games like it’s 1998 and your mom just told you to “go entertain yourselves.” It’s a rare joy to put the phone down and actually look at the person across from you. Revolutionary, I know. And when I’m feeling extra fancy, I head to Serenity Knoll Farm in Jonesborough, TN , where I’ve taken everything from macaron classes to sushi workshops. You learn a new skill, you eat your creation, and you walk away with recipes and a sense of superiority because you now know how to fold egg whites properly.  P.S. the views are postcard worthy. The Trend Has Officially Hit My House My daughter Izzy has joined the sourdough cult. First you get your starter, then you name it — because apparently it’s a pet now. Izzy’s is called Crumblelina , and she is thriving. I’m eagerly awaiting the day I get to taste the bread and pretend I’m not judging the crumb structure. Even the ladies at my office are fully committed. Amber loves jigsaw puzzles so much she bought a table that rolls over her bed so she can puzzle horizontally like a Victorian woman recovering from fainting. It also doubles as her diamond‑art station, which brings her endless joy. Lindsay? She’s our resident book influencer with an Instagram dedicated to reading: @briefedandbooked . She’s basically our in‑house librarian, minus the shushing. The Beauty of Grandma Hobbies The list is endless: sewing, knitting, needlepoint, macramé, crocheting, quilting, embroidery, sudoku, crosswords, board games, cards, canning, baking, birdwatching, gardening, scrapbooking, pottery, flower pressing, jewelry making, candle making, reading… and that’s just the warm‑up. The magic is that you pick whatever speaks to your soul — or whatever requires the least amount of setup. These hobbies are: affordable grounding creative productive without being exhausting a break from the digital circus something you can do alone or with your favorite chaos gremlins And the benefits? They’re legit. Grandma hobbies boost your mood, spark joy, give you that little dopamine hit of trying something new, help you unwind, and — thanks to their repetitive nature — can feel almost meditative. Like therapy, but with yarn. So, Pick Your Passion Whether it’s a puzzle, a paintbrush, a loaf of sourdough, or a deck of cards, grandma hobbies aren’t about age. They’re about choosing joy on purpose. They’re about making something with your hands, laughing with your people, and reclaiming a little peace in a world that’s constantly yelling. So go ahead. Choose your hobby. Claim your joy. And embrace your inner grandma — she’s been waiting for you to catch up. Do you have a "Grandma" hobby that you would like to share with us here at KTCWK?

Galentine’s Day is almost here, and if you’re wondering what on earth that is, let me enlighten you. It started as a joke on Parks and Recreation  and has since become a full‑blown holiday — February 13th, the sacred day of celebrating female friendship. It’s basically Valentine’s Day without the pressure, the prix‑fixe menus, or the existential dread. Just women supporting women, laughing until we snort, and having fun because we deserve it. And the world has noticed . Retailers, restaurants, and every marketing team with a pulse have jumped on the Galentine’s train. Last year, my dinner club — the Fab 5 — went to an event that had everything: a make‑your‑own bouquet bar (where we all pretended we were on The Bachelor ), signature cocktails, a tarot reader who told us exactly what we wanted to hear, an author signing her book, women‑run pop‑ups, mini tattoos, photo booths, Botox stations, and food that made us forget our New Year’s resolutions. We had such a blast that we already snagged VIP tickets for this year. Yes, VIP. We’re basically Galentine’s royalty at this point. But here’s the thing: not everyone loves Valentine’s Day, and Galentine’s Day is a fabulous alternative. And if you don’t have a group to celebrate with yet, that doesn’t mean you’re destined to spend the evening alone with a heart‑shaped pizza. There are so many women out there looking for connection — you could be the one who brings a new circle together. There are meet‑ups for single women, hobby groups, and local events where you might just find your person. And don’t sleep on your work girls; sometimes the best friendships are forged in the break room over stale donuts and shared trauma. If your friends are long‑distance, go virtual: schedule a FaceTime date, send each other a little surprise, and open them together like a low‑budget unboxing video. And if this year is all about you? Treat. Yo’. Self. Buy the flowers. Order the good dinner. Splurge on the jewelry you’ve been eyeing. Be your own Galentine — because honestly, you’re excellent company.

Who would have thought lawyers would find an untapped market in silver splitters? If you’re wondering what that means, it’s another phrase for gray divorce—a term coined by Dr. Susan L. Brown and Dr. I-Fen Lin in 2012 to describe marriages that end after the age of 50. The numbers tell the story: according to the U.S. Census Bureau, divorce rates among people over 50 have roughly doubled since 1990. While divorce rates in other age groups have stayed stable or even declined, couples in their 50s, 60s, and beyond are increasingly choosing to part ways. And interestingly, women are often the ones initiating these later-in-life divorces—perhaps because they’re more proactive, or simply because they now have more independence and options than generations before them. As a woman in her 50s, I’ve seen this firsthand among friends and acquaintances. It’s never easy, but what I’ve observed is transformation: women who emerge happier, freer, and more themselves.  Honestly, who wouldn’t crave that kind of transformation after being unhappy for so long. So, let’s explore why the silvers are splitting? Less stigma: Divorce isn’t the scandal it once was. Pop culture—from the movie “The First Wives Club” to the high-profile separations of Bill and Melinda Gates, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Jackman or Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban—has normalized the idea.  Bringing the idea into the open has a way of stripping the taboo of its sting. Financial independence: Women today often have careers, education, retirement savings, and the ability to support themselves. They aren’t bound by the same economic dependence their mothers faced.   We don’t carry the same constraints that the generations of women once had to navigate. Empty nest syndrome: Children can be the glue holding a marriage together. Once they leave, couples sometimes realize they no longer share common ground—or even affection. So, when the chicks fly the nest, one may realize that they may want to kick the big bird out of the nest as they are no longer needed or wanted. When the binding force disappears, the relationship or nest can fall apart. Infidelity: After decades together, betrayal can feel unbearable, and forgiveness less likely.  Infidelity doesn’t just “break trust,” it changes the entire emotional architecture of a relationship.  Unspoken truths may be exposed in such a fashion as to re-evaluate the relationship.  It is then one must decide if they are aligned enough to continue with the marriage or separate. Retirement realities: Spending every day with someone whose company you don’t enjoy, or whose retirement dreams clash with yours, can be a breaking point.  When one finally reaches their breaking point, something inside you shifts in a way that doesn’t shift back. Longer life expectancy: “Till death do us part” once meant fewer decades together. Now, with longer lives, people want those years to be joyful—not endured in misery.  They question turns from “Can I endure this?” to “Do I want to endure this?”  Women realize they can have a life that feels good and not one that simply looks good from the outside looking in. Of course, gray divorce isn’t easy. Ending a marriage after decades means grieving not just a partner, but a shared history. Financial recovery is harder at 50+. But for many, the choice is worth it.  Making sure that your future years are happy by ending a marriage should not be seen as defeat…..it can be a reckoning.     This post is not suggesting one course of action over another.  This is a personal choice.  However, if you’re considering this path, be smart: consult an attorney and a financial planner. Lean on friends and family, or seek support groups and therapists if needed. Most importantly, remember that choosing divorce later in life isn’t failure—it’s choosing yourself. Life is too short to spend it unhappy. If you decide to split, may your new chapter be refreshing, freeing, and full of joy. It may not necessarily be filled with romance, it might be friendship, companionship, travel, community or simply peace.  But it will be yours to design.  Here’s to silver splitters everywhere who are brave enough to put their happiness first.   By Kaylin Render and previously published on www.sixtyandme.com a fantastic site with fabulous resources that you all should definitely check out.

Every so often, someone asks the age‑old question: “Can girls and boys actually be just friends?” And every time, I want to hand them my life like a PowerPoint presentation and say, “Exhibit A through Z: Yes. Obviously. Next question.” Because the proof is in the pudding — and in my case, the pudding is a 20‑year friendship with my buddy Andy. No blurred lines, no weirdness, no secret pining. Just two humans who genuinely enjoy each other’s company and occasionally roast each other for sport. Tonight was the perfect example. The S.O. and I didn’t feel like adventuring across the universe (shocking, I know). Sometimes the vibe is less “Indiana Jones” and more “sweatpants diplomacy.” So, we headed to Andy’s house for a chill night with him and his girlfriend, Kerry — who, by the way, is an absolute gem. Andy hit the jackpot with her, and I’m lucky she lets me claim her as a friend too. Kerry is basically the household favorite — loved by me, the S.O., and even my daughter, who does not  hand out approval lightly. Once we even ditched Andy altogether and ran off with Kerry like the chaotic trio we were always meant to be while Andy stayed in bed post op. Now, let me pause for a moment of appreciation: Andy is one of the reasons I even dipped a toe into the dating pool again. He’d been nudging me for ages to “get out there,” and when I finally met someone who made my heart do cartwheels, he and our mutual friend William (shoutout WBH, who I miss like crazy since he moved) invited my S.O. over to watch football. Not just to hang — to vet  him. To welcome him into the fold. To make sure I wasn’t out here falling for a walking red flag. They probably don’t realize how much that meant to me, but it did. Fast‑forward to now: the four of us double‑date like it’s our part‑time job. But tonight was all about cozy vibes, good food, and a card game called Hand and Foot  — which, for the record, requires math. And the only math I excel at is girl math. So it took me a minute to warm up. But once I did? Kerry and I absolutely mopped the floor with the guys. Respectfully. With love. But also with zero mercy. They cooked us a delicious dinner, we laughed until our faces hurt, and I remembered how much fun game nights can be. You don’t always need a fancy restaurant or a packed bar to have a good time. Sometimes the best nights are the ones where you’re barefoot, full, and surrounded by people who make your life better just by being in it. So, tonight was a night of yeses : Yes to friendships with the opposite sex (especially when everyone involved is secure enough to handle it). Yes to cozy nights in with people who feel like home. Yes to game nights, girl math, and victory dances. Yes to letting the fun follow you — not the other way around. Because honestly? When your circle is this good, the location is irrelevant. The joy travels with you. So tell us? Do you have a good friend that is of the opposite sex? Or what about a favorite game for a great game night...... we here at Kicking the Chaos would love to hear all about it. Always looking for another great game night idea.

Most people know FOMO — the fear of missing out. But there’s a newer, quieter, far more sabotaging cousin creeping around: FOFO, the fear of finding out . And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. FOFO shows up when people avoid information because they’re terrified it might be uncomfortable, disappointing, or downright scary. Instead of facing the truth, they bury their heads in the sand and hope the problem magically evaporates. Spoiler: it doesn’t. According to recent discussions in psychology and health reporting, FOFO is especially common when it comes to medical issues , finances , and relationships 12 . People delay screenings, avoid checking their bank accounts, or dodge tough conversations because they assume the worst. But here’s the twist: avoiding the truth doesn’t protect you — it traps you. Why FOFO Happens FOFO isn’t a clinical diagnosis; it’s a colloquial term for a very human psychological barrier 1 . Anxiety loves to whisper worst‑case scenarios, and FOFO convinces people that not knowing  is safer than knowing. But as one guide puts it, FOFO can have a “profound negative impact if you let it get too far” 2 . And that tracks — avoidance tends to grow problems, not shrink them. Personally, I am FOFO=proof This is because I want to know it all and I wanted to know it yesterday. I want all  the information, as fast as possible , because information creates possibilities. That’s the antidote to FOFO — curiosity, agency, and the belief that knowing empowers you. Honestly, that’s a superpower. How to Kick FOFO’s A@@ Here’s the part people struggling with FOFO need to hear: 1. Stop assuming the worst. Most fears are exaggerated versions of reality. And even if the news is  bad, knowing early gives you options — especially with health issues, where early detection is often key 3 . 2. Remember: information = action. If your finances are a mess, wouldn’t you rather know now so you can fix it? If your relationship is shaky, isn’t clarity better than wasting years on the wrong person? 3. Courage beats avoidance every time. Facing the truth is uncomfortable, but it’s also the safest long‑term strategy. Avoidance only delays the inevitable and increases the fallout. 4. Lean on your people. Family, friends, mentors — they can help you face the hard stuff. And if you don’t have that support, professionals exist for exactly this reason. Final Word FOFO might be a modern anxiety trend, but it doesn’t have to run your life. Rip off the Band‑Aid. Ask the question. Schedule the appointment. Open the bank app. Whatever the thing is — face it. Because the truth is never as dangerous as the stories we tell ourselves. Now get out there and kick FOFO’s a@@  with confidence. References (3) 1 You've Heard of FOMO. But Do You Have FOFO? | TIME . https://time.com/7332559/fofo-fear-of-finding-out/ 2 FOFO: How to Deal With the Psychological Barrier "Fear of Finding Out ... . https://utopia.org/guide/fofo-how-to-deal-with-the-psychological-barrier-fear-of-finding-out/ 3 What is FOFO? - The Indian Express . https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/everything-you-need-to-know-about-fofo-and-why-it-could-be-dangerous-10375078/Most rything-you-need-to-know-about-fofo-and-why-it-could-be-dangerous-10375078/

I’ve loved the Olympics for as long as I can remember. The pomp and pageantry, the parade of nations, the improbable underdog stories, the every-now-and-then love story — all of it. I grew up glued to the TV, swept up in the idea that for a few weeks the whole world pressed pause on politics and focused on goodwill, grit, and the thrill of competition. And if you’re of a certain vintage, you remember the icons: Katarina Witt, the East German figure skating goddess, and Alberto “Tomba la Bomba” Tomba, the swaggering Italian alpine skier. Their flirtation at the 1988 Calgary Games was the stuff of Olympic legend. That was the era when athletes weren’t just athletes — they were characters in a global drama. Fast‑forward to 1996. I was in law school in Birmingham, Alabama, when the Summer Olympics came to Atlanta. My friend Brandy was actually on the Olympic Committee and even got to run with the torch. Birmingham, to my absolute delight, was chosen as the soccer venue. Suddenly, the Olympics weren’t just something I watched on TV. They were practically in my backyard. Having majored in German — and armed with the grandiose confidence only a twenty‑something can muster — I decided I could be of great assistance to any German‑speaking teams. Translator? Tour guide? Cultural liaison? Yes, please. I applied to work at the soccer venue, fully imagining myself bridging nations with my linguistic prowess. And then… I got selected. I reported to headquarters, buzzing with excitement, and picked up my uniform: a blue Olympic polo with the rings emblazoned across the chest, a khaki pair of shorts, and a hat that looked like something Crocodile Dundee might wear if he were moonlighting for the IOC. I was ready. Then came the big moment — my assignment. Ticket taker. I won’t lie. My Olympic dreams deflated just a touch. But only for a moment. I took a breath, summoned that Olympic spirit, and decided to embrace my role with gusto. After all, I was in it . I was part of the Games. My mom drove down, and I shared my extra tickets with family. She came to the matches with me, cheering and soaking it all in. I greeted fans from all over the world, took their tickets with a smile, and realized that this — meeting people from every corner of the globe — was exactly why I loved the Olympics in the first place. And when my shift ended, I got to join my mom in the stands and watch the games. Just the two of us, taking in a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience. I may have been a tiny cog in a massive machine, but it felt magical. Now, with the Winter Olympics only weeks away, that familiar excitement is bubbling up again. I’m ready for the ceremony, the grandeur, the triumphs, the heartbreaks, and the stories that remind us how connected we really are. Olympic fever has officially set in , USA, I’m ready. What events are you most excited to watch this year? Kicking the Chaos wants to know.

During the pandemic, Gen Z gifted the world a little gem called Main Character Energy. Suddenly everyone was treating their daily latte like it was part of a cinematic montage — slow‑mo steam rising, wistful stare out the window, soundtrack by Taylor Swift. And honestly? I kind of love the principle behind it. Because for so many women of a certain age, we’ve spent decades putting everything and everyone ahead of ourselves — family, work, home, pets, partners, the neighbor’s cousin’s crisis, you name it. So, the idea of reclaiming your narrative and finding joy in the tiny, ordinary moments? That hits different. But here’s the trick: embracing your main character era doesn’t mean turning into a full‑time diva who demands the spotlight and a personal fan crew at all times. We’re not going for “narcissist on a press tour.” We’re going for “woman who finally remembers she exists.” So yes — put yourself first. Revel in your growth. Romanticize your Tuesday morning coffee if it makes your soul sparkle. Enjoy the little moments and let them mean something. And don’t forget: the best main characters are always a little flawed, a little scrappy, and still dealing with life’s plot twists. Challenges don’t disappear — you just get better at delivering the dramatic hair flip and moving on. Because honestly? It’s about time. Time to enjoy your life, not just manage it. Time to say yes to the things that light you up and no to the things that drain you. Time to soak up everything this wild, beautiful, unpredictable world has to offer — without apologizing for taking up space in your own story. Your next chapter isn’t waiting. You’re already in it.

You are not everyone’s cup of tea—and honestly, do you even want to be? Tea is lovely, sure, but so is champagne, and nobody’s out here trying to pour that into every mug in the break room. When you’re young, you chase approval like it’s a limited-edition lip gloss. You want to fit in, blend in, smooth out your edges so no one gets poked. But the older you get, the more you realize that being universally liked is… suspicious. If everyone likes you, you’re probably people-pleasing yourself into exhaustion, playing it safe, and dimming your own light so others don’t squint. Elbert Hubbard said it best: “The only way to avoid criticism is to do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” And you? You are most certainly something. Something bold. Something real. Something that doesn’t shrink to fit. People-pleasing is a full-time job with terrible benefits. You end up being fake to someone—either to others or, worse, to yourself. And trust me, people can smell that façade from a mile away. They don’t admire it; they tolerate it. And who wants to be tolerated when you could be celebrated? Don’t you want the right people to be excited about you? The ones who see your quirks, your edges, your sparkle—and lean in instead of backing away. You don’t like everyone you meet, and that’s just human nature. So why expect universal applause? Learning to stomach a little rejection is like strength training for the soul. Criticism can keep you grounded, sharpen you, and sometimes—let’s be honest—give you a little extra motivation. And if you happen to be living rent-free in someone’s head? Well, that’s just a bonus feature. Envy is loud. Jealousy is messy. And winners don’t waste time arguing with people who are committed to misunderstanding them. Let them talk. Let tongues wag. Maybe you’re like the L’Oréal tagline and simply worth talking about. Take the classy high road—not because you’re pretending to be above it all, but because their behavior reflects them, not you. Being the main character in your own story means you’re going to face obstacles, villains, plot twists, and the occasional hater with too much time on their hands. Overcome them with grace, humor, and a little sparkle. You’re not a bad person for not being everyone’s favorite flavor. You’re just not meant for everyone—and that’s the beauty of it. When you stop trying to please the masses, you make room for your tribe. The people who don’t just like you—they love you. The ones who get you, hype you, and choose you. So, let’s value our differences, stay true to ourselves, and appreciate the people who genuinely want to be in our orbit. They’re the ones who matter.

I know many of you have already lost your parents. I lost my father on May 19, 2023, and that day became a watershed moment for me — one of those life markers that quietly forces you to re-evaluate everything. Now my mother is living with the early stages of dementia. I treasure the moments I still have with her, but I also feel the fear of losing her every single day. And it’s not just our parents. Lately I’ve started losing classmates, friends, and co‑workers — people my age or even younger. When that starts happening, you can’t help but think about your own mortality. If you’re anything like me, it’s scary, and the instinct is to bury your head in the sand and pretend none of it is happening. Then I stumbled across a planner online with a title that stopped me in my tracks: “ Gone But Still Telling You What To Do.” An end‑of‑life planner. With a title like that, I had to click. And honestly, it might even make my daughter laugh, since she’s accused me more than once of being bossy and still telling her what to do. I bought it on Amazon, and I was surprised by how many versions of these planners exist. They’re not morbid — they’re practical. They give you prompts, checklists, and ideas to help you start thinking about what needs to be in place long before your loved ones ever have to look for it. It’s not an exhaustive list, and it’s not the only thing you need, but it’s a starting point. Of course, the next step is the hard one: actually, sitting down with a pen and filling it out. That takes more time, more honesty, and more reflection than simply clicking “add to cart.” But hopefully the inevitable is still far down the road. And if taking the time now makes things easier for the people you love during one of the hardest moments of their lives — well, that’s a gift. One they may not fully appreciate until they’re in the same position someday. And if you can offer that gift with a little cheekiness and a touch of levity? Why wouldn’t you.

This year, I’m claiming the word KEEP. Yes, KEEP — the tiny little verb that jumped out at me from a random commercial and then refused to leave my brain. (Honestly, it’s been living rent‑free up there for weeks.) The official definition? “To cause to continue in a specified condition, position, or course. ”The unofficial definition? “A gentle shove from the universe to get your life together… but kindly.” And let’s be real — it doesn’t hurt that it’s alliterative with the blog name. A girl loves a theme. Here’s the idea: once a month, we choose something to keep doing. Maybe it’s keeping a good habit going. Maybe it’s keeping a promise to yourself. Maybe it’s keeping your sanity by letting go of something that’s been dragging you down. KEEP is flexible like that. She’s the yoga instructor of words. And since it is the start of a new year — when half of us are vowing to lose weight, get in shape, drink more water, or at least stop treating iced coffee as a food group — let’s start with KEEP Moving. But here’s the twist: moving doesn’t have to mean steps, reps, or sweating through a sports bra you regret buying. Movement can be mental. Movement can be spiritual. Movement can be emotional, creative, relational — whatever direction your life is nudging you toward. KEEP Moving simply means: don’t stay stuck. Not in old habits, not in old stories, not in old versions of yourself. So, I want to hear from you. How are you interpreting KEEP Moving? What are you working on, leaning into, or gently nudging forward this month? Share it with me — because here at Kicking the Chaos with Kaylin, we’re keeping the momentum going together.

This year was our first blended Christmas — my 24‑year‑old daughter, his 17‑year‑old daughter, and the two of us trying to create something that felt like home for everyone. We’d already survived (and shockingly, thrived ) through a blended Thanksgiving, so I went into Christmas feeling optimistic. I told myself I’d embrace the change, release expectations, and focus on connection. My only real goal was simple: I wanted everyone to feel loved and like they belonged. And I’m not trying to brag… but we nailed it. The girls — who could pass as sisters in looks alone — actually acted  like sisters. As two only children, they seemed to unlock something in each other they didn’t even know they were missing. Watching them laugh together made my heart expand three sizes, Grinch‑style. Then there’s my S.O., who looked so happy the entire time that I’m pretty sure he was one mug of hot cocoa away from starring in a Hallmark movie. My daughter and I have always had joyful Christmases, but this one felt different — like the happiness had been multiplied instead of divided. Now, I’m not saying we’ve cracked the code to blended‑family perfection. Honestly, a lot of the magic came from the girls being open, kind, and genuinely accepting of their parents’ new partner. But if I were to offer a few tips to other families trying to blend their holidays, here’s what worked for us: Plan together.  Everyone got a say — movies, activities, the whole shebang. Honor food preferences.  I took everyone’s likes and dislikes into account. No one should have to fake‑smile through a casserole they secretly hate or a gray overcooked piece of meat (true-story) Manage expectations.  We focused on quality time, not marathon togetherness. Encourage honesty.  Everyone was free to share what they liked, didn’t like, or wanted to tweak for next year. Stay flexible.  We rolled with the punches, even when the punches looked suspiciously like last‑minute schedule changes. Let new traditions emerge.  And they did — beautifully. In the end, everyone embraced our new traditions and our new holiday together. And honestly? It felt like the start of something really special.