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Let's be honest about late November: you're trying to finish three weeks of work before end-of-year mode kicks in, field the "can we squeeze this in?" requests, and somehow also show up as a calm, present human during the moments that matter. 

Whether you're prepping for Thanksgiving in the US or just navigating the pre-holiday crunch, you know the feeling. Everyone keeps asking if you're "ready for the holidays."

Ready? You're just trying to get to the other side of this week.

We see you - and we’re breaking the format today with a special edition to keep this tight. 

Here are a few quick strategies to manage your energy heading into the holidays, plus a few gift ideas if you need them.

Mindful Energy: Triage Before You Leave

You can’t clear your entire plate, and that’s okay. You just need to organize it. 

• What's truly urgent before the year winds down?

• What's important but better done with a fresh mind in December?

• What's honestly a Q1 thing you've been pretending is a November thing?

Everything you bucket becomes time and energy you can reinvest somewhere else.

Mental Energy: Have a Strategy for Disconnection

The holidays test your mental energy - not because work stops, but because you're deciding how much space to give it. 

"Just unplug" doesn't work for everyone - and for some people, a quick check-in is what actually lets them relax. Both are fine, just be honest about which human you are. 

If you genuinely feel better checking in, that's fine - just put a limit on it: “I check twice a day but don’t respond unless it’s urgent.”  If you know you get sucked in, have a plan. Change your password if you must (zero judgment.) 

The goal is managing where your mind goes when you're supposed to be off.

Physical Energy: Make It Easy to Win

This isn't the time to start a new intense fitness routine - and even if you already have one, the mindset still applies. The holidays disrupt your usual flow. Travel, family, unpredictable schedules. Shift from "I don't have time for my usual routine" to "I can do something with the 10 minutes I have."

Set a realistic baseline: "I'll move 2-3 times this week." A walk with family counts. A stretch before bed counts. The dance party that breaks out after Thanksgiving dinner (it does in Dilan's family) counts. Consistency comes from lower lifts, not ideal conditions.

Movement is one aspect of physical energy, but this focus on incremental wins applies to sleep, nutrition, and hydration too.

That's the framework. Now for some gratitude and gift ideas - because you deserve both.

Gratitude from Team Dilagence

As we head into the final sprint of the year, a genuine thank you. Whether you've been reading since the beginning or just joined, we're grateful you're here. This community keeps us motivated to keep showing up with insights that we hope actually help.

Wishing you a holiday stretch with real rest, good food, and people worth putting your phone down for.

From Our Founder - A Dose of Dilan

What’s In My Cart - Quick Gift Guide

For the humans who are ALWAYS cold in your life (besides me)

• Ororo Heated Fleece - It’s like a battery-powered hug. 

• Portable Space Heater - Do I travel with this? Yes. 

• Bombas Sherpa Lined Bootie - Embodiment of happy feet.

For the fun fitness-related gifts to give your colleagues

• Exercise Dice - Instant team bonding. 

• Timers - Especially if you’ve done a Dilagence workshop, you know the drill. Pick a time and match it to a well-being activity 

• Resistance Bands (Lululemon or Amazon) - These are your best friend on the road, and I’ll recommend until end of days.

 For the person who deserves some recovery

• Hyperice for Hips - I personally can’t wait to try this (…in case any family members are reading)  

• Mini Theragun - Even the mini version packs a punch. 

• Hugimal Weighted Neck Wrap - Treat someone who’s been staring at screens too long.

What I’m Reading: 

Theo of Golden is such a delightful read about kindness and human compassion.

What I’m Writing: 

If that gift guide made you go, “Uh but finances are stressful,” this one is for you.

What I’m Looking Forward To: 

Austrian Christmas markets. So joyful that even a perpetually cold Nigerian just can’t wait.

Want more from Dilan? Follow her on LinkedIn.

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