Traditions, Your Way!

When the Heart Says It’s Time

The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us, like sudden gusts of warmth or cold that remind us of the passing seasons. For years, I felt bound to the calendar’s commands — Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas trees, Easter egg hunts. These markers came with obligations, stress, and sometimes even frustration. And as much as I loved the holidays, I started wondering if my traditions still held the same joy they once did. Had they become a checklist of things to do instead of moments to cherish?

One winter morning, a chance encounter shifted my perspective. I had stopped by a small coffee shop to escape the cold, and there I saw a woman reading a book by a tiny decorated tree, not yet the holiday season. Curious, I asked her about it. She smiled warmly and explained, “I don’t wait for the holidays. I decorate and celebrate whenever I feel like it — whenever it feels right.” She shared that some of her best Christmases happened in July, her favorite Thanksgiving meal was with friends in spring, and her most meaningful New Year’s resolutions were made on a random day in June. Her words struck a chord. Traditions don’t lose their meaning when we do them on our own time. If anything, they take on a new significance when they’re not dictated by a date on the calendar.

That evening, I looked around my home, reflecting on the way it had only seen decorations at “the right” times of year. I remembered a particular July when a busy work schedule and family issues had prevented our family from truly celebrating Christmas, even though the day had passed six months prior. So, that night, we set up a tiny artificial tree, made cocoa, and exchanged small gifts. The spirit of celebration, in that moment, was more alive than it had ever been on December 25.

Over time, I began to rewrite the “rules” in my head. I discovered that traditions are ultimately about connection, joy, and honoring the things that matter. I celebrated Thanksgiving in the spring, throwing a small dinner for friends who had been there for me during a tough winter. Easter was just as joyful on a bright summer day, with a picnic in the park and dyed eggs, even though it wasn’t officially Easter.

Now, I live by what my heart says. Traditions are no longer deadlines, but spontaneous moments of gratitude, love, and joy — whenever the spirit calls.

In a world ruled by busy schedules and endless to-do lists, celebrating “when the heart says it’s time” has freed me. So this season, consider stepping back from the calendar. Take a moment, and listen to what your heart tells you about your own traditions. Celebrate when it feels right, on your terms, and let joy find you in every moment.