Christmas Reflections: A Message of Gratitude

linnearader
Dec 24, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Mar 8

Linnea, with Lead with Linnea, giving thanks and being grateful for all of you. — This year has been amazing, more than I could have ever hoped.

This year has been huge for me. I launched Lead with Linnea, started writing this blog, and put myself out there in ways that felt terrifying and exhilarating all at once. My family? They've been incredible. They've supported the late nights, the time I spend writing, and the energy I pour into this work. I'm so grateful for them.

But I'm also grateful for you.

Every single time someone tells me they read what I write, my heart does this little happy dance. You have no idea what it means to know that these words matter to someone. Maybe something I shared helped you navigate a tough situation or gave you permission to take a breath.

So, thank you. For reading, for being here, and for being part of this community we're building together.

You Made This Year Possible

"You are amazing."

Here's what I need you to hear tonight, before you head into whatever your Christmas looks like:

You are amazing.

I know you might not feel amazing right now. December probably kicked your butt with year-end deadlines, budget presentations, performance appraisals, staffing coverage, and all the chaos that comes with working during the holidays.

I know you're probably exhausted. You might already be thinking about everything waiting for you when you get back to work. The public wasn't always kind, and your to-do list is still longer than you'd like. You're not sure how you're going to tackle everything in the new year.

But listen to me: You. Are. Amazing.

You show up every single day and serve your community. You do work that matters, even when it feels thankless. You lead teams, solve problems, and make decisions that impact real people's lives. You do all of this while also trying to be a good partner, parent, friend, and human being.

That's not nothing. That's everything.

Embracing the Holiday Spirit

Whatever your Christmas looks like, whether it's a house full of family or a quiet morning with your coffee, whether it's chaos or calm or something in between, I want you to know something:

You deserve peace. You deserve happiness. You deserve joy.

You don't have to earn it by checking off every item on your list. You don't have to wait until everything at work is perfect. You don't have to prove your worth one more time.

You already have worth. You already matter. You're already enough.

So tomorrow morning, or tonight, or whenever you get a moment, I want you to just be there. Don't think about work. Don't stress about what's coming. Don't replay the tough conversations or worry about the things you didn't get done.

Just be present. Watch the faces of the people you love. Feel the warmth of your home. Notice the joy, even if it's small and quiet. Let yourself have this moment without guilt, without pressure, and without anything except the simple gift of being alive and being here.

My Wish for You

Linnea and her family wishing you a very Merry Christmas — Merry Christmas

As we head into this Christmas, my wish for you is simple:

I hope you feel valued because you are.

I hope you feel proud of what you've accomplished this year, even the small things that nobody else noticed.

I hope you get a moment of pure, uncomplicated happiness.

I hope you feel the love of the people around you, and I hope you let it in.

I hope you rest, really rest, without the weight of everything you think you should be doing.

And I hope you know that the work you do matters. Your leadership matters. Your kindness matters. You matter.

A Time for Reflection and Renewal

As we celebrate this festive season, take a moment to reflect on the year gone by. Think about the challenges you've faced and the victories you've achieved. Each experience has shaped you into the person you are today. Embrace those lessons.

Consider what you want to carry into the new year. What goals do you have? What dreams are waiting to be realized? Allow yourself to dream big. You have the strength to make those dreams a reality.

Merry Christmas, See You Next Week

"You are worthy. You are valued. You are enough."

I'm going to spend tonight with family, laughing and eating too much food. Tomorrow morning, I'll get woken up way too early by two boys who are definitely old enough to know better but who I wouldn't want to change for anything.

Then, when things calm down and we prepare to head into the new year, I'll be right back here. Writing for you, sharing stories, and hopefully making you laugh and think. I want you to feel a little less alone in this wild world of leadership.

Until then, from my slightly chaotic, definitely mismatched, absolutely perfect home to yours: Merry Christmas.

You are worthy. You are valued. You are enough.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for the work you do. Thank you for being you. Now go enjoy your people. The work will wait.

With gratitude and joy, Linnea

P.S. If you're working on Christmas, if your plans didn't work out the way you hoped, or if this season is hard for you for any reason, please know that you're in my thoughts. You're still amazing. You're still worthy. And better days are coming.

As always, carry social kindness with you everywhere you go. The world needs you and your positive mindset!