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Everyone else is screaming “50% OFF!” and I’m over here like… no thanks.

This season isn’t about buying more. It’s about feeling better.

Look, I get it. Black Friday is the Super Bowl of retail.

It’s when every brand pulls out their biggest discount, their flashiest banner, their most urgent countdown timer.

ONLY 3 HOURS LEFT!
BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR!
YOU’LL REGRET MISSING THIS!

And honestly? I’m exhausted just typing that.

Remember When I Told You I Was Done Performing?

Back in September, I wrote about why I disappeared for five months.

About how burned out I was from the relentless chase for algorithmic approval.

And then returning to what actually matters—genuine connection over optimization theater.

Well, guess what? Black Friday is the ultimate optimization theater.

It’s the Olympics of manufactured urgency, the pinnacle of “do this because everyone else is doing it.”

And after spending the last few months rediscovering what brings me actual joy (spoiler: it’s not discount code chaos), I’ve decided to sit this one out.

What Black Friday Has Become (And Why I’m Not Here For It)

Let’s be real about what Black Friday looks like in the gut health space:

→ Brands offering “50% off” on products they’ve marked up 50% the week before
→ Email inboxes exploding with subject lines that all blur together
→ Manufactured scarcity on digital products that literally cannot sell out
→ Everyone shouting louder to be heard above everyone else shouting louder

It’s the antithesis of everything I rebuilt this space to be.

I didn’t spend five months stepping back from the performance of it all just to dive headfirst into the biggest performance weekend of the year.

Why I’m Skipping Black Friday (And What I’m Doing Instead)

Here’s the thing—I actually love this time of year.

Not the commercialized frenzy part, but the genuine togetherness.

The cooking. And decorating. Music. And the slowing down (or at least attempting to).

The reflection. And time spent in the deep quiet (usually with family, pets, and succulents – ha!)

So while everyone else is planning their “biggest sale ever,” I’m choosing something different.

I’m choosing calm over chaos.
Peace over panic.
Intentionality over urgency.

And I’m inviting you to do the same.

This Is Not About Judgment

Listen, if you see a Black Friday deal that genuinely serves you—something you were already planning to buy, from a brand you already love—by all means, grab it. [Spoiler alert: I will likely, too.]

I’m not here to moralize about shopping.

I’m just saying: you don’t have to participate in the frenzy to be doing the holidays “right.”

You’re allowed to opt out of the overwhelm.

What This Season Looks Like at A Gutsy Girl

Instead of discounts, urgency, and spending the time creating a massive Holiday Shopping Guide (like I’ve done in the past), here’s what I’m focusing on:

Real value over perceived savings.

I already do this, 24/7 – 365 days a year in the Ultimate Gut Health Product Guide.

Everything you want and need is already here.

The products, information, discounts, real talk—it’s all available, no countdown timer required.

And, in fact, if you REALLY want to see the Holiday 2025 sales, just see this tab via the Ultimate Gut Health Product Guide > “🌲Holiday ’25.”

Thoughtful recommendations over sales pushes.

Remember how I mentioned I’ve been testing products the right way—three experiences minimum before I’ll even consider sharing?

That continues.

When I tell you about something, it’s because it genuinely works, not because I have some hidden agenda to push on the BF / CM weekend.

Connection over conversion.

I’d rather hear what’s actually stressing you out about the holidays (gut health-wise or otherwise) than convince you to buy something you might not need.

Holiday survival over holiday perfection.

Speaking of which—I’m putting together something genuinely useful for navigating the next few weeks without wrecking your gut.

Starting on December 1st, I’ll be doing the 12 [Gutsy] Days of Giving.

If you’re on the Rated-G email list, that’s where you’ll receive them.

No purchase required. No Black Friday madness. Just practical, actionable stuff you can actually use.

The Brands Worth Mentioning (Because They’re Just That Good)

Look, I do work with some brands I genuinely love. And yes, some of them are running Black Friday / Cyber Monday and/or general holiday sales.

Like Herbal Face Food (which I’ve been told will be having a BFCM deal)

Or LUMEBOX (which will be 50% off for BFCM)

But here’s the difference—I’m recommending them because they’ve earned a place in my kitchen and my routine.

For me personally, I love when brands tell me about their biggest deals of the year so that I can stock up on things I already use.

These are the kinds of brands I’ll mention during the holidays—not because they’re discounted, but because they’re worth it.

What I REFUSE to do, though, is tell you about a daily offer from A Gutsy Girl and/or my journal line and/or supplement line 24/7 during this season.

I also refuse to put 1,000 offers together – most of which I’ve never tried – just because I could.

It’s not fun for me. And it’s not fun for you. If you NEED the stuff, then you’ll find it.

Instead, I’m doing only ONE thing – you’ll find it HERE.

Take it if you need it. Don’t if you do not.

What I Hope You Take From This

You don’t need another email screaming at you about limited-time offers.

Instead, permission to breathe.

You need reminder that opting out of the chaos doesn't mean you're missing out.

You need space to focus on what actually matters—your health, your peace, your actual life—instead of getting swept up in someone else’s sales strategy.

So here’s what I’m offering instead of a discount: calm.

Practical resources. Thoughtful recommendations. Real support. A corner of the internet that’s not trying to manufacture urgency.

Is it as flashy as “70% OFF EVERYTHING!”? Nope.

Is it more aligned with why I do this work in the first place? Absolutely.

Skip the Chaos. Feed Your Gut Instead.

This holiday season, A Gutsy Girl is returning to what we do best—cutting through the noise and focusing on what actually works.

No manufactured urgency.
No flash sales that disappear at midnight.
Just real gut health support, served with a side of sanity.

And if you’re ready to just feel that calm, I’ve already created something you can download, for free right now.

>>> A Gutsy Girl’s Holiday Survival Checklist

If Black Friday emails start flooding your inbox (let’s be honest, they will), you have full permission to delete them and come hang out here instead.

Peace over panic, always.

Xox,
SKH

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P.S. If you know someone who’s already feeling overwhelmed by the holiday noise, send them this. Sometimes the best gift is permission to opt out.