This week falls in a strange pocket of the season. Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving today (Happy Thanksgiving). Canadians are already past that part, but now we're all heading into the full force of the holiday season. It brings the sales, the noise, and the pressure to show up at every single thing.

The big holiday moments? They can be beautiful. They can also be completely draining. They ask for everything—your energy, your patience, your ability to smile and stay present even when you're running on fumes (we all know how that feels).

Tiny joys are the antidote.

Tiny joys are small, simple moments: a warm drink, a cozy snuggle, a few deep breaths. These all send signals to your nervous system that you're safe. When you pause for even 30 seconds of intentional calm, your body releases less cortisol (your stress hormone) and shifts into a more relaxed state. Your heart rate slows. Your muscles soften. You reset.

And what’s so special about tiny joys? They don't require planning, coordination, or anyone else's cooperation. You don't need things to go right. You can access them right now, exactly as things are.

So instead of chasing some idealized version of "holiday cheer," just notice the tiny joys. They can help you feel like yourself again.

This Week's Recipe: Roasted Citrus Honey Carrots

Tiny joys often start in the kitchen with the scent of citrus warming in the oven or the crackle of olive oil.

These carrots are exactly that. Bright, warm, tender, and a little sweet. This type of dish makes you exhale without even realizing you were holding your breath.

Just toss sliced carrots with olive oil, salt, a drizzle of honey or maple, and tuck in a few orange slices and sprigs of thyme. Roast until the edges caramelize. Minimal effort. Maximum comfort.

Vegetarian, gluten-free, and an easy side that adds colour and nourishment to any plate.

Your body resets through small, steady cues. Little signals that say 'you can let your guard down right now.'

Ask yourself at different points in the day: "What's one tiny joy I can give myself right now?"

You don't need to wait for the perfect moment or for things to slow down. Right now works.

A few ideas: 

None of these will fix your whole day. But they will make a small shift which can be enough to change the tone of everything that comes after.

This Week's Practice: Try this gentle meditation: Mindfulness of Emotion. It helps create space inside when the outside world feels too full.

When your mind feels stuck, your body can move you forward. You don't necessarily need a workout or a plan, all you need is a moment that reminds your system that it can soften.

1. The Body Wake-Up: Arms overhead. Lengthen. Inhale big. Let your shoulders drop on the exhale.

2. The 60-Second Shake-Out: Shake your hands, arms, shoulders, hips - like you're shaking water off. A full-body reset.

3. The Cozy Fold: Sit or stand. Fold forward and let your head hang. Breathe into your back. Let everything melt down toward the floor.

Each one sends the same message: You're okay. You can let go.

At the risk of adding to the noise I just complained about—the Black Friday sale is still running. 15% off everything, no code needed.

If you've been craving simple nourishment or looking for a gift that feels meaningful without being over-the-top, Love What's On Your Plate is exactly that. A cookbook that actually gets used—the kind that lives on the counter, not on a shelf. A gift for yourself, a mother/daughter, a host, a friend.

Tiny joys don't need to be big to matter. They just need to be real.

Here's to finding a few this week.

More realistic strategies at svliving.com