This post is sponsored by lululemon and ShopStyle.
One of the most useful lessons that I ever learned from my therapist is that it’s okay, healthy and normal to experience two seemingly contradictory emotions or feelings at the same time.
- I can be grieving while and still laughing and feeling happiness.
- I can be disappointed while still holding hope.
- I can wish things were different while still finding gratitude for what’s right in front of me.
- I can feel loneliness and love simultaneously.
We are currently in the midst of a holiday season unlike any that we have experienced before and I find myself returning to these teachings of emotional paradox often. Even in the best of years the holidays can be stressful and emotional. Couple that with the disruption and uncertainty that 2020 has brought and it’s a lot to navigate.
For this reason I think that this holiday season it’s more important than ever to give ourselves so much grace around our expectations for how it all looks and feels. It makes sense that in a year that looks so different from any that we’ve ever had, that the holidays will look and feel different too.
When Finn was a baby I was single, lonely and struggling with postpartum depression as we entered the holiday season. My first inclination was to mostly ignore Christmas, skip decorating and pretend like the holidays weren’t happening but my grandmother told me “you have to, do it for Finn if nothing else.” After that conversation I loaded Finn up in the car and went to buy decorations and a new tree. I spent the evening decorating and I’ll never forget that night for as long as I live. Even though I was feeling sad and wishing things were different, I felt so much joy, excitement and cheer as I decorated my home and made it special for my first Christmas with Finn.
While I didn’t get to spend Christmas Eve or morning with Finn or my family, it ended up being one of the most memorable Christmases of my life and a holiday where I felt so alive and strong even as I experienced a crazy paradox of emotions.
I share this story because I think many of us are in this boat in 2020 where the reality of the holidays might not be what we would choose but we still have a choice to make the most of them. I know that traditions are different this year and that so many family gatherings and holiday events have been canceled, but it’s also been really beautiful and uplifting to see so many people really lean into the holiday season and be so enthusiastic about decorating, celebrating, gift giving and carrying on the best they can.
I’m excited to partner with lululemon to bring you this post and to share their holiday message of “let the feeling flow.” Whether it’s a solo run to clear your head, a yoga flow to ground you in gratitude or just a walk to get some fresh air and take in all of the holiday decorations and feel some merriment, lululemon’s lineup of products are designed to unlock amazing experiences and feelings.
If you’re like me and tend to hold off on your holiday shopping until it becomes a bit of an urgent situation, you’ll love this gift guide that I’ve put together featuring some of my favorite lululemon gear. While I LOVE finding the perfect gift for everyone on my list, I am a last-minute shopper and I’ve come to accept that about myself. 🙂 Luckily, I always know that I can count on lululemon as a destination for last-minute gifting.
FOR FEELING ALIGNED + IN FLOW
When I want to feel calm, comfortable, focused and in flow, you will ALWAYS find me in lululemon’s Align gear. In my opinion, nothing feels more comfortable on my body than the buttery soft, smooth-to-touch Align fabric. I seriously live my life in Align high rise leggings and the new Align Tank is making me so happy as a light support top. It’s one of those that’s comfortable to wear all day layered under a sweatshirt or jacket.
Here are my favorites from the Align line. Also be sure to visit the Align Shop for all of the Align goodnesses.
- Align Tank
- Align High Rise Pant 25″
- Align High Rise Short 6″
- Align High Rise Crop 21″
- Align Jogger 28″
FOR FEELING WARM AND COZY
I love the feeling of being wrapped up in a cozy sweatshirt or jacket. lululemon’s Scuba gear is perfection for this. It’s soft, warm, has a generous hood and thumb holes. I’m wearing the Scuba Oversized Half-Zip Hoodie in this photo and it’s great paired with the high rise align pants. Here are some of my other Scuba faves!
FOR FEELING ALL WRAPPED UP
If I want to feel wrapped up and ready to run, you’ll find me in lululemon’s Swiftly Tech Long Sleeve with the Down For It All Vest layered on top. Swiftly + a vest = cold weather perfection for me!
And while I might wrap myself up warmly on top, you’ll see my running in my Hottie Hot Shorts (they also come in a longer length) until the temperature drops below freezing. If you want to wrap up your legs, I’d suggest the Wonder Train High Rise Tights 25″ or Crops 21″.
If I do need a little more warmth on top, I transition from the Down For It All Vest to the Down For It All Jacket. It’s an extremely versatile jacket that is perfect for everything from running to dog walking to errand running. It’s made with PrimaLoft insulation and a great mid-weight warm jacket. It also has awesome side pockets to stash your gloves and beanies in.
FOR FEELING A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA
These things are perfect extras that would be great gifts for so many people on your list!
- Pom Perfection Beanie (pictured in these photos)
- Fast and Free Women’s Run Hat
- Down For It All Ear Warmer
- Sherpa Weave Pom Beanie
- Down For It All Mitten
- Uplifting Scrunchie
- Smooth Seamless Thong (never going back after trying lululemon underwear)
- The Reversible Mat 5mm
- Everywhere Belt Bag (on my Christmas list!)
lululemon Holiday Services
Here are the holiday services that lululemon offers to help take the pressure off so that you can feel festive and fun!
- Free shipping and returns
- Contactless pickup curbside or at the door of your local store
- Complimentary hemming on all pants and tops at all of their stores
- Virtual shopping support with lululemon educators who can help you with choosing just the right gift/size/style for everyone on your list
- New online and in-app Wish List feature where you can save your favorite gifts and share with loved ones or shop online or in-store
LET YOURSELF FEEL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
While I hope this roundup is resourceful, more than anything I hope that allow yourself to flow with how you feel this holiday season. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to feel and it’s okay to feel happy, sad, disappointed, hopeful, angry, lonely, loved and any other host of emotions all at the same time.
QUESTIONS
How are you feeling this holiday season? Are you feeling any conflicting or paradoxical emotions? How are you managing that?
What lululemon is on your wishlist this year?
Have you tried the Align pants or top?
