In this post – our adventures in the Palm Springs Area and taking time for self care during the holidays.
Desert Adventures
Accommodations
We spent four nights at Marriott’s Shadow Ridge Resort in Palm Desert last weekend and it was heavenly. We have had a fun but hectic last couple of months and it was good to unplug and relax. Our room overlooked the golf course, which was closed during the month of October for overseeding. We enjoyed sitting on our balcony watching the local wildlife, including a heron and a coyote, take advantage of the empty course.
The weather all weekend was warm (it’s the desert after all) but not too too hot.
Palm Desert
Shopping
Downtown Palm Desert is a high-end is where you’ll find The Shops on El Paseo, a shopping mecca. We happened to be there during the Annual Golf Cart Parade down El Paseo Drive. It was fun to stumble upon a community parade with lots of marching bands, cheer squads, and of course, decked-out golf carts. The other bonus was that the shops were open during the parade, so we could pop in and out of them easily.
We visited the Tommy Bahama Home store, one of only four in the country. There are two in southern California and two in Texas. They have gorgeous furnishings. We aren’t in the market for new furniture, but I loved this decorative surf board and this faux succulent wall display.
Golf
We had never played golf in the desert before, so we were eager to give it a try. While most of the courses in the Palm Springs area were closed in October for overseeding, we did find a few that had already opened back up.
We played the 18 Hole Desert Springs course at the JW Marriott on Saturday. It was a nice course but very difficult. I lost a lot of golf balls that round!
On Monday, we played 9 holes of the Mountain View course at the Desert Willow Golf Resort. The course was in pristine condition and the mountain views were spectacular. If you’re a golfer, you need to put the Palm Springs area courses on your bucket list!
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
One of the highlights of our trip was visiting The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens in Palm Desert. This zoo focuses on the plants and animal that live in desert environments around the world. It was a very beautifully designed and well-maintained zoo. My husband and I agreed that it is one of the best we’ve been to, and that’s saying something considering we have the San Diego Zoo in our area.
We had the opportunity to feed a giraffe, which was so fun. Their tongues are soft like velvet! We also enjoyed the walk-thru habitats where we could observe the animals from within their enclosures. This wallaby wasn’t too worried about me being there! The meerkat was definitely keeping an eye on me.
We ate lunch at the Bighorn Cafe and it was decent food at higher prices, as you would expect. Since the profits benefit the zoo we didn’t mind, but it would be expensive to feed a family there. The cafe overlooks the Bighorn Sheep area and you can watch them scramble over the rocky hill while you eat.
How to Slow Down and Savor November
In November we say goodbye to the beach and head to the Bay Area to celebrate the holidays with our family and friends up north. I like to use this transition to set my own intentions for the fall season. The hectic busyness of the holidays can take a toll on even the most organized person, so it’s important to make time for some self-care.
This Isn’t a Race
Whether you’re decorating your home, planning a Thanksgiving meal, or getting an early start on your holiday shopping, November offers a gentle reminder: you don’t have to do it all. You just have to be present.
Back when my kids were little, I felt exhausted all the time from trying to keep up with everything that came with raising three of them. The holidays added even more stress because I felt like there was more I should be “doing”, such as creating the perfect Christmas cards, or shopping for the perfect gifts, baking cookies, decorating, etc, etc. I was usually a frazzled mess by Christmas morning.
Now that my kids are older, some of the pressure has been taken off, but I still plan to stop and breathe more often to recenter myself. The quiet moments are often the ones that mean the most to me now.
Theodore Roosevelt once said “Comparison is the thief of joy.” There is so much truth to this! You should only feel the need to do what is enough for your family and the ones you love. Ignore what other people think you “should” be doing You do you – because that’s enough.
Embrace the Art of Doing Less and Being Present
I recently came across this article in Psychology Today called “The Art of Doing Less”. It’s about how people have become so used to “doing” that they don’t know how to just “be”. We are human “beings” after all, so why can’t we just take time to be in the moment instead of rushing to “do” the next thing?
We’re all glued to our phones and screens all the time, and this takes a toll on our brains. We crave distraction, when what we really need is mindfulness. We’ve forgotten how to be present because we’re so focused on what’s next. Make time to take some slow, deep breaths. Pay attention to what’s around you and focus on the sounds, colors and smells around you. Be present in the moment.
Rest Without Guilt
Rest doesn’t have to be earned. November teaches us that nature rests, too — the tides slow, trees shed, the world softens. Nature prepares herself to rest for the winter, so why shouldn’t we? November is the perfect time to slow down, reflect, and restore our energy before the New Year arrives. Give yourself permission to recharge before the holiday season begins. Your needs are important too.
Take a Weekend Off
It’s amazing how fast the calendar fills up this time of year. Free weekends become scarce quickly. Early in November, mark off a weekend on the calendar as “busy” and give yourself the gift of no obligations.
I love a a weekend with no plans once in a while. I might read a book, take a walk, watch a movie or a favorite show or just take a nap. Giving yourself a break from obligations once in a while is necessary to prevent burnout.
Final Thoughts
Slowing down isn’t about stepping away from life — it’s about stepping into it more fully. So be sure to make time for “you” this holiday season. Because sometimes the most beautiful moments aren’t the loudest or the busiest — they’re the ones we quietly let ourselves enjoy.
Happiness is Homemade
I’m excited to host our Happiness is Homemade link party for the month of November! I chose some fun fall decor, tablescape and recipes ideas to feature. Be sure to stop by the blog on Sunday to check it out. You never know what you might find!
In case you missed it…more fall ideas!
