Dear Royals,

I can’t believe we’ve almost arrived at the end of 2023. Just six weeks separating us from a brand new year. For some of us, that six weeks may feel like eternity. For others, it may feel like time is moving too quickly…and I feel that. As we find our footing in Term 2, I hope to leave some words of advice/encouragement/support with all of you who are coping with time (spoiler alert: that’s all of you).

When I was younger, I remember how much I used to cherish this time of year; I loved the cozy weather, the holiday festivities and celebrations, the collective joy that was in the air, the time away from school, the conclusion of the year. Somewhere between then and now, the cozy weather became gloomy and sad. The holiday festivities and celebrations became financial, emotional, and social burdens. The collective joy and break from school became collective anxiety and time to catch up on everything that’s fallen behind. The conclusion of the year became yet another reminder of how quickly life is passing me by—what did I even accomplish?

Now, I know we’re not at the end of the year quite yet, and I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I think there’s a lot to be said regarding the stress and despair we’re experiencing now. We’ve been grieving and honoring the lost life of an extremely beautiful, talented, and beloved Royal; we’ve been attempting to cope with so many unknowns regarding our future; we’ve been relentlessly trying to perfect this balancing act, prioritizing our intellectual, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and financial wellbeing—where does it even end?

When did it even begin?

While I can’t offer all the solutions or comforts to the distress we’re experiencing, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for each and every one of you who continue to show up, for yourselves, for your loved ones, and for your community. Thank you for sharing your light, your energy, and your heart with the world. It’s so difficult to feel joy, love, hope, and gratitude in these moments. The world around us is suffering and, consequently, so are we. Nonetheless, I encourage you to let yourself feel joy. Allow yourself to feel love for yourself and for those around you. Express yourself unapologetically and appreciate yourself unconditionally. I know it’s much easier said than done, but I hope these few words provide some warmth in these cold times. I’m looking out for you, I got you, and I’m here to support you in your highs and lows. We all are. Have a restful, relaxing, and rejuvenating break, Royals. See you next month 🙂