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You know those people in Hallmark movies who go absolutely overboard for Thanksgiving? The ones with the perfect tablescape, the homemade everything, the whole production?

Yeah, that’s me. No apologies.

The tablescape is a full event. The menu gets planned in October. My Nanny’s rolls are made from scratch because store-bought is simply not entering this house. And my stuffing? Also legendary. A girl has to start her own traditions to pass down.

Thanksgiving is my Super Bowl, and I have zero shame about it.

Most people’s favorite holiday is Christmas. Cute for them. But me? I’ve been a Thanksgiving girl since I was little. Makes perfect sense because it was my Pappy’s favorite day of the entire year.

He was my favorite person. Every Thanksgiving he showed up with the same vibe: bib already on, ready to go, no pretense, just joy.

When Everything Changed

Fifteen years ago, he passed away on Thanksgiving morning.

I won’t lie—for a couple of years that day was heavy. It felt impossible to show up the way I used to. The joy felt forced. The gratitude felt hollow.

But eventually, something clicked. The most meaningful way I could honor him wasn’t by treating the day like something fragile, but by stepping into it the way he always did.

That bib-on energy. That joy. That presence.

So here we are. Two kids getting ready to fly the nest, a stack of Cards Against Humanity waiting on the table, a Christmas tree ready to decorate, and a Thanksgiving that means more to me now than ever.

The Problem I Almost Created

Funny thing is, this almost got derailed.

I almost convinced myself I needed to stay online next week. Black Friday. Cyber Monday. All the sales. All the noise.

Because here’s what happens: you start thinking everyone else is doing it, so you should too. You worry about leaving money on the table. You tell yourself it’s just a few days, you can handle checking in.

And before you know it, you’re back to being that person who’s physically present but mentally somewhere else entirely.

Not this year.

If You Can’t Unplug, You Don’t Have Freedom

Let me be really direct about something: if the thought of being offline for a few days makes your stomach drop, that’s not dedication. That’s a red flag that something’s not working.

I’ve been there. I’ve checked email on Thanksgiving morning. I’ve taken client calls while the turkey was in the oven. I’ve convinced myself that constant availability made me professional.

But here’s what I learned: when your business can’t function without you checking in every hour, you don’t have freedom. You have a job with no days off and nobody to call when you’re sick.

We’ve normalized this so much that rest feels like something we have to earn. Like taking four days off means we’re not serious enough about our businesses.

But what are you building this for? To be constantly stressed and available? That’s just your old job with more hours and no benefits.

Your Brain Needs White Space

Here’s what nobody tells you: your best ideas don’t show up when you’re forcing productivity.

They show up in the shower. While you’re driving. When you’re having a completely unrelated conversation with someone.

Your brain needs white space. Not more coffee and another late night at your desk, but actual room to process and connect dots you can’t see when you’re just reacting to your inbox.

I’ve had more breakthroughs while cooking dinner than I ever have while staring at my computer willing something brilliant to happen.

Running on empty means you’re in survival mode. Just putting out fires. And that exhaustion? It shows up everywhere. In your client work. Your content. Every decision you make.

The entrepreneurs who build something sustainable? They know when to step away and come back recharged.

The Black Friday Trap

Black Friday is about to get loud. Really loud.

Your inbox is about to explode. Your feed will be nothing but discount codes and urgency. There’s this drumbeat that says if you’re not participating, you’re failing.

I’m not doing a Black Friday sale. Not doing Cyber Monday. None of it.

(We’ll get into all of that next week—why it’s problematic and how to deal with the pressure.)

But today I just want you to sit with this: What if being present is more valuable than being productive?

What if the smartest thing you can do is step away and come back clear instead of grinding through the chaos exhausted?

Because a rested mind makes better decisions than a panicked one. Every single time.

How to Actually Make This Happen

Okay, let’s get practical. Because I know you have real commitments. Real clients. Real deadlines.

Send your clients a simple message this week:

“I’m taking Thanksgiving week to be with my family. Back December 2nd. If you need anything urgent, reach out by November 22nd.”

No long explanations. No apologies. You’re setting a boundary, not asking permission.

Auto-responder on. Then actually follow through.

If you’ve already planned a sale and feel trapped by it, ask yourself one question:

Do I actually want to do this?

Not should you. Not what everyone else is doing. Do you?

If yes, automate everything this week. If no, cancel it. Send one email explaining why and move on.

Write down what actually counts as an emergency:

Website completely down? Sure. Client question about a revision? Nope. That can wait until Monday.

Most things that feel urgent can absolutely wait four days. And if you’re part of a community, they can handle the truly urgent stuff anyway.

The Guilt You Need to Drop

This is the hard part.

We’ve been taught that our worth equals our productivity. That never taking time off makes us more professional. Always being available makes us more successful.

It doesn’t. It makes us tired and resentful.

My kids are almost grown. I don’t want them looking back thinking Mom was always in her office. I want them to remember that I built something that let me show up for the moments that mattered.

Not just the big milestones, but the ordinary ones. The all-day cooking. The games until we’re crying laughing. The tree decorating. The ridiculous conversations at the table.

Why This Week Matters

My kids are getting ready to leave. These might be our last few Thanksgivings all together under one roof.

That realization changes everything.

So next week I’m choosing to be all in. That same energy and presence I learned from watching my Pappy show up year after year.

Legendary tablescape. Nanny’s rolls. My stuffing that’s becoming its own tradition. Cards Against Humanity. Christmas tree. Phone in a drawer.

Because this season is fleeting and I’m not missing it.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

I can do this because I’m not building alone.

Inside the coCreator Society, we hold space for each other. When someone needs to step away, the community is there. That’s what real support actually looks like.

Monthly coaching calls for real challenges. Hot seats when you need direct support. Workshops to help you stay visible and booked. Live events. Resources. Our own app for genuine connection without the Facebook noise.

If you’re thinking, “I wish I could take a week off, but everything depends on me,” that’s your sign.

You don’t need another course. You need community. People who get what you’re building and support you in doing it sustainably.

Your Turn

This Thanksgiving, I’m choosing presence. My people. Joy over hustle. That bib-on energy.

Give yourself the same gift.

Take the time. Make the food. Put your phone away. Be there.

These moments won’t wait.

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Ready to build a business that lets you actually step away when it matters? Join the coCreator Society and stop building alone.

Coming next week: Why I’m not doing a Black Friday sale and why that might be your smartest move too.