Why I Don’t Celebrate the Holidays: Honoring Indigenous People Through Conscious Living by Jules

The holiday season often brings with it an air of joy, togetherness, and tradition. For many, it’s a time to gather with loved ones, exchange gifts, and reflect on gratitude. But for me, it’s also a season of inner conflict—a time when I find myself stepping back, reevaluating, and choosing not to participate in traditional celebrations. This isn’t about being contrarian or rejecting joy; it’s about aligning with my values and honoring a truth that’s often overlooked: the history and impact of colonization on Indigenous people.

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Community 〰️ Connection 〰️ Communication 〰️

The History We Overlook

Many of the holidays we celebrate in the United States are tied to narratives that have been sanitized, reframed, or outright distorted. Thanksgiving, for example, is often portrayed as a harmonious gathering between Pilgrims and Native Americans, symbolizing gratitude and cooperation. The reality, however, is far more complex and painful. For Indigenous people, this holiday can serve as a reminder of the systemic oppression, displacement, and erasure of their cultures and communities.

Similarly, Christmas and other winter holidays, while celebrated by millions with good intentions, are deeply rooted in traditions that have been co-opted and commercialized over time. For me, these celebrations feel disconnected from the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples who have long been marginalized by the same systems that these holidays often uphold.

Choosing to Opt Out

As someone who seeks to live in alignment with my values, I’ve made the conscious choice to step away from traditional holiday celebrations. This isn’t to diminish the joy that others experience, but rather to create space for a different kind of reflection—one that centers the voices, stories, and resilience of Indigenous communities.

For me, opting out of the holidays isn’t about rejecting connection or gratitude; it’s about redefining how I honor those principles. I choose to spend this time learning, reflecting, and supporting Indigenous-led initiatives. I seek out opportunities to educate myself and others about the histories that are often silenced and to stand in solidarity with the communities whose struggles continue today.  I spend time with my soul family, my daughters and their partners, and my friends, who support me in adding a deeper layer of meaning to the holiday season. Together, we honor the remembrance of our ancestors and those who came before us, fighting for equality and preserving the dignity of our roots.

Honoring Indigenous People Through Action

In addition to participating in traditional holiday customs, I focus on ways to honor Indigenous people and their contributions to the land we live on. This is what I practice and suggest:

• Supporting Indigenous-Led Organizations: Donating to or volunteering with organizations that amplify Indigenous voices and work toward justice and equity. https://mitakuyefoundation.com

• Learning and Sharing History: Educating myself about the true histories of these lands and sharing that knowledge with others in a way that fosters awareness and compassion, not separation 

• Practicing Gratitude Mindfully: Honoring the land and its original stewards by practicing gratitude not just in words, but in actions that support sustainability and respect for nature.

•Engaging in Ceremony: Creating personal rituals that are rooted in respect, introspection, and reverence for the interconnectedness of all life.

Moving Toward Authenticity

My decision not to celebrate the holidays isn’t about judgment or rejection of others’ traditions. It’s about authenticity—about living in a way that feels deeply aligned with my values and my desire to honor those whose histories are often erased. It’s about making space for new ways of connecting, celebrating, and expressing gratitude that don’t perpetuate harm or historical amnesia.

If you find yourself questioning the holidays or feeling a sense of disconnection, I encourage you to explore your own values and truths. The journey may lead you to redefine what celebration and gratitude mean in your life, and it may also open the door to deeper, more meaningful ways of honoring the world around you.

For me, this path is one of integrity and alignment—a way of honoring not only myself but the resilience and wisdom of Indigenous people, past and present. And while it may not come with festive decorations or traditional gatherings, it fills my heart with a deeper sense of purpose and connection.

To start your own practice toward your own unique thumbprint, book a session with Jules or Sign up to my M.A.P. 2 Consciousness Program.