The productivity of pause (without the guilt!)

Rest isn’t lazy, it’s a strategy—a deliberate choice to recharge, reflect, and return with clarity and purpose.

The holidays are here, and with them comes the delicate dance of balancing rest and responsibility. If you’re anything like me, the guilt of stepping away from work can feel louder than the holiday cheer. A gnawing unneeded guilt to present to others what you have achieved and what is coming. But this year, I’m leaning into a new perspective: rest isn’t just okay—it’s essential to my survival and my ability to think clearly about products and 2025 planning. This is the year of Phia and I couldn’t be more excited to be building alongside the community. We have a couple surprises up our sleeves these next couple months but before I get there the holidays require a little R&R and putting pen to paper for my goals for the year.

It’s not easy for me to pause, in fact it drives me insane because I have fallen subject to a FALSE notion in my head that the busy work of crossing tasks off my to-do list is more productive than the challenging and actually more challenging self reflective work that is required of a founder to relax, zoom out, rethink priorities, and make space for creativity.

My Thrifted Wishlist <3

Ugg Booties , Velvet Sweats , Moncler Hat , Staud Coat , Toteme Gloves Coffee Mug, Skims Top White, Cashmere Pink Blanket , Brown Sweater , White Celine Sweater, Oui Ring

Alongside planning, I’ve also leaned into self-care—something I’ve skipped in past Decembers…. Whoops

My personal toolkit this year includes cozy cashmere gloves (yes, I’m obsessed), facemasks (Duh), journaling my wins and intentions, and long walks without my phone. Disconnecting is the new productivity hack, and I’m embracing it… or beginning to.

One holiday trend I’m loving this year? A third of the British population is giving secondhand gifts?! Globally resale gift purchases are up compared to last year​​. A vintage leather bag, artisan jewelry, or a perfectly worn-in cashmere sweater isn’t just a gift—it’s a story. YOU HEAR THAT MOM??

This shift isn’t just about shopping; it’s about rethinking how we consume entirely.

At Phia, we’re giving you all the tools to understand the value of what they already own and how to make smarter decisions moving forward.

Here's to a season of reflection, recharge, and a little retail therapy (the sustainable kind, of course).