I was thinking of you this week…


What if you put yourself first this season?

Have you started getting the Black Friday emails yet? You know the ones...

"Buy Now!" "Great Deals!" "Don't Miss Out!"

And just like that, we're back in the hustle—this time called "the season of giving."

That's right...it's that time of year again when the world tells us to buy and give. And while there's nothing wrong with giving (or snagging a good deal!), it's had me thinking...

In this season of giving, we often focus on giving to others — not just gifts, but our time, our energy and our attention. But what about us?

When do we offer that same care, presence and generosity to ourselves?

That's what's been on my mind this week...in my own reflections and in my conversations with others. We're all doing so much giving, and yet so few of us are on our own lists.

Your Invitation This Week: Put Yourself On Your Own List

For me, that looks like reclaiming my evenings from my devices. I'm putting them to bed early and using that time to read, craft, and just be. Mainly this is to help with my sleep but also, I don't like how much control they have over me. (More on that next week.)

Here are a few prompts to get you thinking:

  • What would it look like to put myself on my own list? If you gave yourself the same thoughtfulness, care, and attention you give to others during this season - what would that actually look like? What's one small way you could show up for yourself this week?
  • When was the last time I felt truly rested? Not just "caught up on sleep" rested, but that deeper kind of rest where your shoulders drop, you breathe fully, and you're not thinking about the next thing. What would it take to create more of that?
  • Who am I when I'm not giving? Beneath the role of giver, helper, provider, and supporter - who are you? What does that person need that they're not getting while you're so busy taking care of everyone else?

If you are feeling the nudge to finally put yourself first, let's chat. Book 20-minutes on my calendar (it's free!) and let's talk about how you can create space for you. Just click the button below and find some time on my calendar.

This season, may you find yourself at the top of your own list.

Sending love and giving (to yourself!) vibes,

Chris

P.S. You don't need to earn your place on your own list. You're already worthy of your own care and love.

🌿 Unplugged Practice

Quick grounding practices to help you slow down and reconnect.

This Week's Practice: The Self-Care Check-In

Find a quiet moment today—maybe with your morning coffee or before bed.

Place one hand on your heart and one on your belly.

Take three slow breaths, feeling your chest rise and fall beneath your hands.

Then gently ask yourself: What do I need right now that I'm not giving myself?

Don't rush to answer. Just breathe and listen.

Maybe it's rest. Maybe it's quiet. Maybe it's permission to stop doing for just a moment.

Notice what comes up—without judgment. Notice what it feels like to turn your attention inward, to yourself, even just for these few breaths.

This is what it means to put yourself on your own list.

Sundays Unplugged is your weekly reminder to slow down and create space for you. Remember, while your work, your people, and your life matters… so do you.

If this resonated, feel free to forward it to someone who might need this reminder too.

2945 Emmorton Road #385, Abingdon, MD 21009
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Copyright © 2025 Chris Coladonato, All rights reserved.

Connection Catalyst

Speaker + Guide | Helping you unplug from the busyness of life—because you matter just as much as everything you're juggling. Sundays Unplugged is your weekly nudge and invitation to slow down, unplug, and make space for you. 🧚🏻‍♀️🪩🌳

Read more from Connection Catalyst
Three pictures side by side - moon at night, trees through window, small fir tree.

Nature from my NY trip: Early morning moon, trees from my AirStream, little fir tree on hike. Last week I headed to New York to spend a few days unplugged - driving up in complete silence, hoping boredom would lead to insights and clarity. Here's what actually happened... I drove the entire four hours in silence and enjoyed it (I'm as shocked as anyone). But about 90 minutes after arriving and getting settled in my room, I was bored. And then found myself caught in swirls of uncertainty and...

Grey and white cat with head on his paw and eyes closed laying on red and tan blanket.

My cat Marley...clearly bored with me. When was the last time you were bored? If you're reading this on Sunday morning, I'm somewhere on 95/NJ Turnpike heading north to the Catskills in New York. In silence. (Or at least trying to be in silence...) That's right. No music. No podcasts. No audiobooks. Just me, the road, and four hours of nothing but my own thoughts and road noise. It's an experiment and I'm not sure how it will go. Four hours on the road in silence is....a lot... 😬 Why the...

Sunrise through trees

Sunrise in my backyard. It's the calmest moment of my day. What if took a moment or two...just for you? Have you noticed it yet? That feeling that time is both racing ahead and running out all at once? We're in that stretch now...you know the one...where the holidays are approaching and the year-end is looming. The to-do lists are multiplying and so much needs to get done. The world feels heavy, and yet we're supposed to somehow summon “holiday spirit” while it all swirls around us. And in...