Holiday Rest Guide 2025

From your official Rest Consultant™

Finish Out The Year Resting

Last year I was forced into a season of rest. The last couple of years prior I’ve been forced into a season of recovery - first, recovering from postpartum after a devastating pregnancy loss, then recovering from postpartum after the joy of delivering my lightning daughter, Raine Moses.

During both of those seasons of pause, I was showered with flowers and cards and cozy things that made me find my calm. In recent months, maybe because it’s cozy season or maybe because at this point, I’m an old pro when it comes to resting, friends and family have asked me for advice on what to bring to their friend who is recovering from surgery, their sister that is navigating postpartum after loss, their mom that is grieving, their co-worker that is easing back into work after parental leave, their cousin that just welcomed a new baby.

What Does Resting Look Like?

My colleague recently shared this article with me about the seven types of rest. Over the past year, I’ve needed to rest in the traditional sense - by taking a nap or having what is called ‘brain rest’ by being in a dark, quiet room with my eyes closed for at least 15 minutes. I’ve also redefined what type of rest my body needs to sustain the day. For me, that looks like having a slow morning at least one day a week. It usually looks like waking up to get my daughter ready for daycare + sending her and my husband out the door, only to crawl back into bed with coffee and my computer to write an article for my substack, read a devotional, or journaling. Even taking 30 minutes of calming activities before I kick into the drive of the day has been a really valuable form of rest for me.

Another way I’ve found rest is to cook. I love cooking when I don’t have a timeline. I love the process of planning the meal, going to the grocery store for a couple of items, then coming home, listening to a podcast, having a glass of wine, and cooking in an unhurried fashion for two hours. This is rest.

Things That Help Me Rest

I’ve become a Rest Consultant™ and I’m so into it. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite items that have helped me rest, recovery, and reinvent over the past couple of years. If you’re in a season of caregiving, needing to enter of season of rest, or are looking for a gift that might support a friend in a season of recovery, I’d encourage you to reference the list below for some thoughtfully curated ideas.

1. I was gifted one of these blankets last year and it’s my go-to for cozy nights.

2. My friend and amazing photographer, Katie Koranda, leads a spiritual direction practices that focuses on grief, specifically grief around family building. Her Advent devotional Reimagining Advent from Juniper House is a wonderful any season book, but especially during this winter, recovery one.

3. I started wearing Uggs when I was 15 and I’ll probably never stop. A big selling point when I met my husband was that he also wore Uggs in the house as slippers. True. Love.

4. One of my favorite artists, musicians, and poets is Morgan Harper Nichols. All of her poetry is accompanied by beautiful imagery that evoke center and calm.

5. My cousin gifted me an eye mask when I was in the ICU and since then, I’ve been a believer. The perfect fashion + function combo.

6. I recently got dinner with a friend of mine - I offered to bring wine but we both agreed we were going to skip the drink so we could sleep better (does that mean I’m getting old?) Recess is a great mocktail that still feels festive but doesn’t interrupt rest (and I have a 25% off code for my friends, use this link to order).

7. Can you ever have enough candles?

8.. Socks are a great gift for someone who is in a season of rest, especially if they live in Minnesota!

9. Something I still do at least once a week is crawl back into bed after I’ve helped everyone get out the door for work and school and try to have a quiet hour to myself in my pajamas, reading, writing (this newsletter!), or catching up on emails. I always like to have a cozy scarf or winter hat on and this one is especially nice.

10.I’m on the wait list to reserve this book at the library - I haven’t read it yet but love Pooja Lakshmin’s Substack and can’t wait to read Real Self Care.

11. I went to the Giants exhibit this summer and found it to be so incredibly moving, I had to take this book home with me to remember the experience and look at the pieces whenever I want.

12. Oprah wears Peepers so now I wear Peepers. As my eyes are still more sensitive to light than they were pre-brain surgery, I always keep a pair nearby.

13. I never thought I’d be so excited to share my favorite canned fish with you. This is a bougee, classic millennial gift I buy for myself when I feel like making a charcuterie board for dinner to have more rest during during a busy week.

14. During a season of rest, I always appreciate a memento that reminds me of this season. This compass necklace by Larissa Loden could be a nice, commemorative gift.

15. My friend, Bridget Hauff, is an incredible artist that creates cozy custom pottery and jewelry. Her mugs are my favorites for sipping coffee and tea during these cold winter months.

16. I don’t have these slippers but I want them.

17. Small, local gifts always feel so meaningful, like this homemade rosemary soap by Bryn Mawr Soap.

18. The day after I was discharged from the ICU I decided I want to take up crocheting. Lucky for me, I live within walking distance of a yarn shop. I purchased a few things from Dandelion Fibers to keep my hands busy and my eyes away from a screen.

19. As I’m writing this, I’m realizing how many of my friends have such cool businesses. My friend Adriel Denae runs Clary Collection and I use this balm everywhere, all the time.

20. Cooking truly is my favorite form of relaxation these days. I was just gifted this set from a Fargo friend that works for Caraway and so far, I’m obsessed.

I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season. This time of year can feel so busy. I hope you create space and time to rest.

XO,
R

P.S. Was this a Rest List or a Rosie-is-cold-all-the-time list? You decide.

*I’m not really a Rest Consultant, but maybe that’s my next career move? Stay tuned for more.