The 100 Years Club Installment #154: The 40 Gratitudes (and Why Traditions Matter)

With the winter holidays upon us, let’s think about traditions.

They are the routine things we do this season…some willingly and some forced upon us by family and friends.

They may be as simple as dragging that box of decor items out of a closet each year. Or, putting certain types of foods on the table. Or, watching a holiday show or movie at home or at a theater.

When major life changes occur like death, divorce, home moves, or financial hardships, some of those traditions get blown up or change.

I recently spoke to a therapist on my podcast about making new traditions.

I’ll be frank here. I’m still struggling a bit with the holiday season, as I haven’t yet fully fleshed out my NTs (new traditions).

So, I used AI to create a list of new personal holiday traditions. She came up with a decent headline (below)  and 10 activity ideas. Beulah even asked if I wanted her to turn it into an infographic in my brand colors.

NancyAF Holiday Traditions (2025 Edition)

Bold, joyful, independent, warm-weather-friendly ways to reclaim the season

I’ll travel back east for Thanksgiving, probably eat a little turkey, and hang out with my kids and grandkids and see old friends. I’m going to see the English Beat at my favorite dive bar music venue. I spend the December holidays solo since my mother died, and I am still working on new NTs for that (potentially depressing and lonely) week.

But one work tradition that brings me joy and peace is my annual LIST OF GRATITUDES.

It’s ranged from 20 to 40 over the past five years, depending on how much other stuff was going on in my work and life, and how grateful I was actually feeling that year. 🙂 Please:

• See below for the reasons why traditions can be important.
• Think about your own work and life traditions and whether they are in need of a tune-up.
• Follow me on social media (as either my work brand or my unfiltered “NANCYAF” persona) to see who and what made my 2025 list.

One of my blogging “traditions” is giving you more facts and stats about the topic.

	Why holiday traditions are so important.
	Volunteering over the holidays is a great way to give back (and make new friends)
	Say no to tradition. Here are some ways to make changes.
	Alone this year? Here are some ways to keep yourself busy.