How To Treat Yourself This Holiday

Hi friends,

How are you doing? This year has been unlike any other, and we’ve sure been through a lot together, hey? As the long, dark nights stretch on, this global pandemic continues to affect our communities and the usual gatherings and events we look forward to are drastically different. What we wouldn’t give to be able to hug our friends and family without worry. 

But without the long, dark nights how would we see the Northern lights? Even as we navigate new norms and weird times, you have shown us that Northern grit. You’ve been such a warm, supportive community, helping each other out in times of need, supporting your local and indigenous businesses, and doing your best to keep each other safe. So while we know this is a tough time of year for many of you, we just want to tell you how amazing you are and remind you to take some well-deserved time for yourself. Go on, treat yourself!

As a small thank you, we’ve put together a few ways you can treat yourself this holiday. Let us know your favourite ways to carve out some me time by commenting below or reaching out to us on Facebook or Instagram.

A book + bath is like a warm hug

Is there anything better than sinking into a hot bath, with the scent of sage and wild rose? Add a book and you have the perfect, relaxing night in. Our favourite right now is Five Little Indians by Michelle Good, which tells the tale of five friends struggling to come to terms with the traumas they endured at residential school and find healing.

If you’ve already read this gem, check out Raven Reads. Each season they’ll send you a beautifully curated box with a book written by an Indigenous author as well as Indigenous-made goodies.

Call your aunty and listen to a podcast

Missing your family this season? Grace and Qua will have you in stitches listening to their podcast, Call Her Aunty. These Ojibwe gals cover topics ranging from body positivity to dealing with failure to favourite Netflix shows, often featuring sweet chats with interesting guests. Just like hanging out with your favourite aunty!

Listen to the music that gets your serotonin flowing

If you’re looking for tunes that move you, we HIGHLY recommend Diyet and the Love Soldiers. Their sound is alternative country, folk, and traditional with catchy melodies and stories deeply rooted in Diyet’s Indigenous world view and northern life. Get tickets to Messiah/Complex, an online concert streaming until Jan 7th featuring Diyet’s Southern Tutchone rendition of “Oh thou that tellest.”

If you’re looking for something to rock around the Christmas tree to, check out this Indigenous Christmas playlist curated by Christine Genier. Trust us, it won’t disappoint.

Connect with nature 

Embrace the crisp nighttime air and take a wander around the neighbourhood to see the Christmas lights. The night sky always looks amazing this time of year, especially with little plumes of smoke rising from the chimney. Feeling a little more adventurous? A cross country ski under the stars is an amazing experience—one for the bucket list.

However you’re spending this time, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season! 

With love,

The Yukon Soaps Co team. 

About the Author

Kia ora! Holly Edmonds (she/her) is a Māori writer and editor who has spent her formative years in the Yukon. Holly loves to collaborate with badass Indigenous women and help them to tell their unique stories.

Kia ora! He kaituhi, he kaietita Māori a Holly Edmonds. I ōna tau taiohi i noho ia ki te Yukon. He rawe ki a ia te mahi ngātahi ki ngā wāhine taketake whakatete hei āwhina i a rātou ki te whakaputa i ō rātou kōrero ahurei.

Blog image by Mehak Khan Photography