Simple rituals that make you full
By: Monica
The holidays are one of the most beautiful times of the year. It’s something I’m always looking forward to. I love how the streets are full of colourful lights, how festive music surrounds you everywhere, and how the season naturally brings family and friends together.
As I get older, I’m starting to notice what truly fills my cup during this season. I’m appreciating the slower moments just as much as the social gatherings. This holiday, these are seven simple ways I plan to recharge my social battery, one for each day of the week:
Slow mornings
Slow mornings are something I surely missed while I was studying. There was always an 8AM class to rush to, a bus to catch, and a day that started too fast. This holiday, I want to give my mornings back to myself. Just a gentle start to the day, priming my morning, and quietly sipping a warm cup of coffee.
2. Read books
During the busy school term, reading books was something I barely had time for. Sometimes I even felt guilty reading a few chapters when I know I should be working on deadlines. Now, being on a holiday break, I treat reading as a reward to myself. Letting my imagination wander, fully immersing in the storyline, and not feeling guilty about doing it. This holiday break, I’m planning to dive deep into the world of Panem and immerse myself in Sunrise on the Reaping book. That’s one out of the many books on my reading list.
3. Bake little goodies
One of my earliest hobbies I did was baking. I started doing it during my high school days, and over time, I tried out baking different pastries. From cupcakes and egg tarts to cookies and buns. When I bake, time seems to slow down. I love the in between where I could read a few chapters of the book while I wait for the dough to rise, or watch an episode or two of a series while I wait for the pastry to bake in the background. As the smell slowly fills the house, I get excited to see how everything turns out. I enjoy the process of gathering the baking tools, preparing and measuring the ingredients, and mixing them all together. But what I love the most is being able to share what I baked with my family and seeing them enjoying it. So for this holiday, while I have the time to do so, one of my goals is to bake a pastry for Christmas and share it with my loved ones.
4. Watch series or movies
Most holidays, I enjoy staying in. There’s something comforting about wearing cozy pajamas, enjoying what I’ve baked, and playing a movie or series from my watchlist. It’s an easy, restful way to spend a day. Just like having slow mornings, I’m aiming for a restful evening, with a movie in the background and a warm drink in my hand. One, I would say that’s been failproof from time to time.
5. Less phone screen time
This holiday, I want to be more mindful of my screen time. Less scrolling, less browsing, and being more present in the moment. One thing I’m trying to learn recently is not being on my phone too much. I’ve been guilty of doomscrolling because it’s a quick way to get that dopamine boost and I’ve started to notice that this is one of the things that drains me. I’m choosing to be more active with activities I can do physically and spend less time with social media.
6. Do something crafty
I want to recharge not just my energy, but my creativity too. Colouring, journaling, and finally crocheting. These are the things I wanted to do during the break. These small creative moments help me recharge without pressure, just doing things for the fun of it. Whether it may be doing a passion project or starting an art activity, exercising your creativity in different ways helps in reigniting how we express ourselves.
7. Get organized
Getting organized is something I personally enjoy doing quietly, on my own. It helps me clear my mind and look ahead. Planning my goals, listing what I want to accomplish, and seeing where my free time fits gives me a sense of ease and direction. Through organizing, I get to prepare myself physically and mentally on what’s coming up next on my calendar or to-do list.
With these simple rituals, I learn what works for me and get to stay true to myself. The best gift I can give to myself is a recharged version of me with a fresh mind and inspired creativity. Not overwhelmed. Not overstimulated. By doing this, I’m able to show up for the people I love with a full heart and a present mind.
Want to recharge even more?
From events and workshops to community resources, SSU offers plenty of ways to reconnect, relax, and refresh your social battery. Explore more of what helps you stay energized, present, and inspired!
Spending the holidays away from home teaches you things you never signed up to learn—like how to sit with your feelings, how to reach out first, and how to create warmth in cold places. It’s not always easy, but it’s real. Somewhere between loneliness and independence, you start building a version of yourself you didn’t know existed. And maybe that’s part of the magic of being an international student during winter break. ✨