Dear Reader,

Firstly, I am…

As Christmas approaches is only couple of days away, or for me as a Finn we celebrate tomorrow. on Christmas Eve, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for being part of this tribe. Your presence and your willingness to connect truly mean more than I can put into words.

Christmas can bring up a lot of emotions.
It isn’t always joyous.

Sometimes it highlights the aches in our hearts.
Sometimes we notice the empty chair.
Sometimes grief rises quietly (or loudly) during this season.

If that’s you, please know this: grief, joy, and peace can coexist.

One of the biggest lessons this year has taught me is that we can feel many things at once and I wrote about this in my last letter, too. We can be many things at once — and that is okay.

In my previous letter, I wrote about honouring — about keeping what is true for you in view. (Read here, if you missed it.)

So, I want to gently remind you to keep honouring your truth.

Even if Christmas looks different this year.

Maybe you’re not spending it with family.
Maybe you’re away for the first time.
Maybe you’re choosing to spend Christmas solo or with friends because that brings you more peace — and there is absolutely no shame in that.
Maybe it’s your first Christmas as a parent.
Maybe you’re away from your own family but finding warmth and wholeness with a new extended one — missing yours, while still feeling held.

You might feel excited and tired.
Both can be true.

This week, I received a card that really stayed with me.
It reminded me of something simple, yet powerful:

There are always things to be grateful for.
Sometimes we focus on what we don’t have and forget what we do.
The riches already present in our lives can quietly be taken for granted.

As I’ve spoken about throughout this year, my hope is that we continue to focus on connection, which is the heart of our community that I hope beats in every one of you who is part of our Connected You Community.

Connection to ourselves.
Connection to others.
Connection to something greater than us.

Which one needs to take a centre stage for you this Holiday season?
What do you need the most?

Honour that.

However this season meets you, I hope you meet yourself with gentleness, honesty, and compassion.

I am wishing you a connected Christmas week.

And if no one else told you: I’m glad you’re here. You’re a gift to this world just by being in it.

With so much love,
Essi