CHOICES Magazine

As the holiday season approaches, we often find ourselves swept up in the excitement and festivities that come with this time of year. It’s a season filled with joy, gatherings, and cherished traditions. Yet, as much as we love the holidays, they also bring an undeniable amount of stress, pressure, and sometimes, even exhaustion.

Most of us move at a faster pace than is best for us, and this can be anxiety-producing, ungrounding, and de-stabilizing. Practice slowing down your internal speed as much as possible.

In today’s fast-paced world, finding effective ways to maintain and improve our health is more important than ever. While diet and exercise are often emphasized, one powerful yet sometimes overlooked avenue for enhancing well-being is the act of creating art. Engaging in artistic activities isn’t only for professional artists; it’s a therapeutic practice accessible to everyone, regardless of skill level.

Life is an ongoing journey of self-discovery; from the moment we are born to the day we take our last breath. In this journey, the power of self-awareness, reflection, and creating space for growth can be truly life-changing. The key to transformation lies in our ability to adjust the course of our lives with intention, guiding ourselves in new and empowering directions.

Mary Ronnow has been a successful entrepreneur and licensed Master Esthetician for over 30 years. She is the founder of The Skin Institute in St. George, Utah, and the co-owner and founder (along with her daughter, Lieren Pearson) of The Skin Institute International in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is also the owner of Starry Nites Ranch in southern Utah.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s hard to escape the constant drumbeat of “hustle culture”—the mindset that glorifies busyness and relentless pursuit of success. This pressure often leads to burnout, leaving us feeling like we’re on a never-ending treadmill, exhausted and chasing a version of success that feels more like survival.

We have all encountered the adage, “You cannot pour from an empty cup.” Yet, many individuals operate on an empty cup due to the perceived lack of time for self-care. This mindset can ultimately lead to burnout. The belief that self-care requires significant time investment often deters individuals from engaging in it.

Taking time to review your financial and tax situation could help you (and your family) keep more of what you have earned. While some strategies apply now, others involve anticipating changes to come. For ways to potentially reduce your tax bill this year or moving forward, consider these ideas from Bank of America.

In 2015, I hit rock bottom. I was in pain and despair, watching the young, healthy woman I once knew fade away. I didn’t recognize myself anymore. Confusion, rejection, and fear consumed me, and I worried that the pain I was experiencing would define my existence. Through my tears, I thought, “If this is how my life is going to be, then I’m ready to be done.”

In the wake of a recent lawsuit claiming that hackers may have stolen Social Security numbers for every American, the nation faces one of the most severe cybersecurity breaches in history. The implications of such a breach could be devastating, as Social Security numbers (SSNs) are the cornerstone of identity verification for financial institutions, government agencies, and healthcare providers.

How many hard lessons about self-care and burnout have you learned during your entrepreneurship journey? If you’re like most entrepreneurs, the list is long. We’ve all been there—working long days, skipping vacations, putting off workouts, saying yes to every client, surviving on five hours of sleep, or grabbing whatever food we can because we’re too busy.

Having been a professional speaker for over 20 years of my life, I often found myself on the road during holidays when others were at home with their families. One year, in particular, stands out—a Thanksgiving like no other, filled with unexpected moments of joy and connection.