Happy Halloween Team Confessioners! Today, as kids and adults alike transform themselves with masks and costumes, this felt like the perfect week to chat about reinvention.

I’d love to start by telling you about a family who came up with their own version of Halloween. My buddy told me about her friend, whose son is autistic. They found October 31st to be a real struggle for their family. Rather than forcing their unique circumstances into a tradition that didn’t fit, they created a new way to enjoy the day. Now every year on Halloween, mother and son get dressed up and go to the Bronx Zoo. It’s still festive, but it’s on their terms.

For years, I really struggled with Sundays. Yup—that day that comes around every week. Not once a year… 52 times. Honestly, TeamConfessioners, I felt so lost on Sundays. I didn’t know if I should (as Dolly Parton says in Steal Magnolia) scratch my watch or wind my butt. And, as a result, I would find myself completely aimless almost all day long. 

Just over a year ago I decided to reboot my approach to that tricky last day of the week. First, I’d take a shower. Team—I didn’t even know my shower worked on Sundays. Second, I’d head to the YMCA for one or two morning classes. Next, I’d come home to get some stuff done around the house. Just a few things I’d jotted down—small tasks that would help set up a more peaceful week. At some point during the day, I’d do Planning Church so I’d know what was coming up in the week ahead. Then, the day took its own shape from there. 

Being open to reinventing my approach helped me end the decades of denial—where I’d sit on the couch, binge TV, and journal about being productive. Turns out, when you stop pretending to be productive, you actually get more done… or at the very least, ya feel a whole lot better about not doing it. Feels like balance to me.

How about you? Any ways you’re thinking of restructuring the holiday season this year? Maybe it’s something you don’t do anymore, or something you do in a whole new way. I’d love to hear from the Team in the comment section below. 

I’ll be back next week when we welcome in a whole new month! In the meantime, please consider heading over to Apple Podcast and giving the show a 5-star rating and possibly even writing a review. And hey—if you’re on your phone already, or listening from my website, here’s how to help Confessions out—just click the purple icon by the podcast player—the one that says, ‘Listen on Apple Podcasts.’ That’ll take you straight there, and you can scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Your ratings and reviews really help. And hey Team—thank you so much for listening today, I truly appreciate it. Take care!