As we close out 2025, this episode is a pause.

A moment to step back from the deadlines, the launches, the site visits, and the constant push to do more, and instead reflect on how far you’ve come.

In this special holiday episode, Rebecca shares a heartfelt message for designers who’ve shown up again and again this year. The ones who raised their rates, made hard decisions, took real rest, or simply kept going when things felt heavy.

This isn’t about setting new goals or pushing harder. It’s about recognizing the growth that doesn’t always show up on a spreadsheet, and giving yourself permission to rest, reflect, and trust what’s coming next.

Inside this episode:

  • Why resilience isn’t about hustle, but consistency and heart
  • The quiet wins that matter more than big milestones
  • What it really means to close out a year with intention
  • A glimpse into what’s ahead for Resilient by Design in 2026

Whether you’re listening during a quiet walk, by the fire, or in a rare moment of stillness, this episode is your reminder that you’ve done enough—and that your next season is unfolding.

Thank you for being part of this community. We’ll be back in 2026 with a brand new season.

 

Episode Resource

Read the Full Transcript ⬇️

 

00;00;00;01 – 00;00;29;04
Rebecca Hay
I believe that resilience is in all of us, and it’s not about pushing harder. Actually, it’s about showing up again and again. You fall down, you get back up. It’s about showing up with heart, with hope and belief that you are meant for more. All right. I’m Rebecca Hay, and I’ve built a successful interior design business by trial and error podcasts, online courses, and so many breaking books.

00;00;29;06 – 00;01;00;12
Rebecca Hay
Over the last decade, I’ve grown from an insecure student to having false starts to careers. And now I’m finally in the place where I want to be. Throughout my journey, it’s been pretty obvious that I’m passionate about business and helping other entrepreneurs do the same. Each week, I’ll share tangible takeaways from my own experience and the experiences of other badass women to help you build your confidence and change your business.

00;01;00;14 – 00;01;23;01
Rebecca Hay
Hey hey hey, it’s Rebecca and it is Christmas Day. Happy freaking holidays! This episode is going to be a little bit different. Whether you’re listening to this while you’re curled up by a tree outdoors or skiing, or taking a quiet walk, or curling up by the fire opening presents, or sneaking a piece of quiet. Between the chaos and all the family gatherings, I just want to say thank you.

00;01;23;03 – 00;01;46;04
Rebecca Hay
Thank you for showing up here week after week, for listening, for learning, and for being a part of this incredible community of designers and dreamers who are building something beautiful, not just in your clients homes, because we know you’re doing that, but in your own lives and your businesses. You know, this time of year always makes me pause and reflect on how far we’ve come.

00;01;46;06 – 00;02;10;15
Rebecca Hay
It’s so easy to get caught up in the goals, the deadlines, the launches, the reveal days, or desire to have a reveal day. The client projects, the contractors the site visits. But today, I just want you to take a deep breath and celebrate the journey that you have been on this year. We are about to close out 2025.

00;02;10;17 – 00;02;44;21
Rebecca Hay
Maybe you finally raised your rates. Maybe you let go of a client who wasn’t a fit. Maybe you took your first vacation without checking your inbox every day. These are the moments that matter. They show growth, courage, and resilience, which is at the very heart of this podcast. When I started Resilient by Design, my mission was to share the real behind the scenes of building a business, not just the highlight reel, because I believe that resilience is in all of us.

00;02;44;21 – 00;03;09;06
Rebecca Hay
And it’s not about pushing harder, actually. It’s about showing up again and again. You fall down, you get back up. It’s about showing up with heart, with hope and belief that you are meant for more. And so as I look ahead to 2026, I’ll be honest, I’m feeling a little bit excited and a lot a bit nervous. This past year, I took my own advice and I chose to focus.

00;03;09;07 – 00;03;26;15
Rebecca Hay
I chose to stop doing all the things and start honing in on the one thing that is making the biggest impact in my life and yours. And next year, that focus is going to look a lot different, and I can’t wait to share more with you soon. I already shared a little bit a few episodes ago, so go back and take a listen.

00;03;26;18 – 00;03;46;06
Rebecca Hay
But it’s something that’s been on my heart for a while. It’s a deeper way to support you, not just for a few weeks inside a program, but for long term through every season of your business journey. But for now, I’m taking these next couple of weeks to slow down. I will not be working. I am with my family.

00;03;46;08 – 00;04;22;23
Rebecca Hay
I might bake a cookie, but I might just eat them. And I’m going to reflect on all the incredible stories and conversations that I’ve had on the podcast this year, and really get excited for next year. So as we wrap up 2025, my wish for you is simple. Give yourself permission to rest, to dream, and to trust that all of the seeds that you have planted this year in your business, your creativity, your personal growth, those are going to bloom in ways you can’t even imagine in the year ahead.

00;04;22;25 – 00;04;50;18
Rebecca Hay
You have done enough. You are enough. And I’m just so freakin grateful to be on this journey here with you. If this podcast has inspired you or helped you this year, it would mean the world to me. If you took a moment to leave a quick review. It really can help so many more designers like you. Be in community, learn and grow, and they can join us on this journey of resilience and growth.

00;04;50;22 – 00;05;10;24
Rebecca Hay
And if you’re ready to start 2026 strong, don’t forget I am here with you every step of the way. You can always circle back and you can listen to the podcast, go back, find an episode that resonates. Get yourself in the mental headspace because 2026 is going to be a good year. So I’m just popping on here. That’s it.

00;05;10;24 – 00;05;39;04
Rebecca Hay
Just a short note to wish you and your loved ones a beautiful, peaceful holiday season. And I will see you back here in January for a brand new season of Resilient by Design. Until then, rest. Recharge. Remember, you are more resilient than you think. See you soon.