Hilary Duff’s year has been anything but slow.
After returning to music with her sixth studio album, "Luck…or Something," the 39-year-old actress and singer is back on the road, balancing touring with life as a mom of four and already thinking about what could come next.
But after years in the spotlight, Duff says one thing about this chapter of her career feels decidedly different: She has learned the power of saying “no.”
“One thing that has been really different this time around, and I don’t mean this as a knock to my younger self or old team, but I think saying 'no' at this stage in my life has been super empowering,” Duff told USA TODAY.
That mindset extends beyond her career. Duff says she’s trying to slow down enough to appreciate the chaos of touring, spend meaningful time with her family
and embrace the moments she might once have rushed through.
That philosophy also made her continued partnership with Aperol feel natural. This holiday season, Duff and Aperol are teaming up for “Aperolidays,” including an exclusive vinyl single featuring “Adult Size Medium” and “Holiday Party.” The collaboration follows the release of Duff’s Christmas EP, "Holiday Things."
“The ethos of [Aperol’s] message this summer was to savor the moment, lean into all the things that feel good, and I really connected with that,” Duff said.
Shop Hilary Duff's newest vinyl
Hilary Duff says returning to touring taught her to savor the moment
Throughout Duff’s 34-show US tour this summer, the 39-year-old star said she’s taking more time to appreciate the madness and nerves as she stepped back into touring after a 10-year music hiatus.
“The first few shows were in Florida, and they were hot and super crowded and super loud and all the things you’d want your first big show back to be,” Duff said.
“You know it’s stuff that I’ve all done before, but a different lifetime ago. There were a lot of moments this time around that I was like, ‘Hilary, let this sink in and wash over you and realize what’s happening.’ It does go by so fast and you’re busy, you’re working, and there’s a lot of marks to hit.”
See Hilary Duff live on tour
Why Hilary Duff says there’s ‘lots of power’ in saying no
The last time Duff headlined her own tour was in 2007, way before she had her four children and married her current husband, Matthew Koma. Now, 20 years since her last proper headlining tour, Duff said she’s finally learned the power of saying no and prioritizing yourself.
Duff said she's grateful to have the support of her husband and her kids, who joined her on the road this past summer.
“There’s lots of power in 'no,' and that doesn’t mean that you [don’t] do all the things you don’t want to do at work, because everybody must. But there is power in ‘no,’ and I feel like you learn from that, too.”
Inside Hilary Duff’s holidays with her husband and four kids
At home, Duff is applying the same philosophy to the holidays: Slow down, ask for help and don’t attempt to do everything yourself.
“My dream setting [for an Aperol spritz] is the dogs are around and everyone has a spritz in their hand and there’s food cooked in the kitchen, and everyone is helping out…My number one-party things is don’t try to do it all yourself,” Duff said.
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If you’re attending a holiday party at her house, your offer to help definitely won’t be turned down.
“I feel like when you give people jobs, they’re happier than sitting there because it’s uncomfortable to watch the host crashing out. It took me until I had four kids to be like, I cannot do it all.”
When it comes to traditions, Duff said they like to slow things down with a nice meal and a family soccer game when her oldest son, Luca, is with them. This year, the singer is even implementing a new family craft night tradition every Sunday through November and December.
“[The craft night] doesn’t have to be intense and everybody doesn’t have to do the same thing, but I put some things out and we’re…just hanging, being mellow.”
On Christmas Day, Duff and her husband surprise their family with airline tickets and a mysterious trip. This year’s trip is a secret she’s holding close to her chest.
Hilary Duff teases new music and a possible movie
Duff may not have revealed her mystery Christmas destination, but she did allude to some exciting new projects in the works for the new year.
“There’s probably a deluxe coming, I’m going to be on tour, and now, I’m putting out a Christmas EP, so that’s really exciting,” she said.
“There’s a couple of things up my sleeve, but there’s not a finish line I need to get to. I’m reading scripts, reading books, obviously I love TV. There’s even a possible movie…but really, it’s still music focused and then I’m going to need to take a break and be home with my family.”
Until then, all Duff plans on doing is spending time with her family and drinking a lot more Aperol Spritzes.
See Hilary Duff live on tour
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hilary Duff reveals why she’s finally embracing the power of saying 'no'
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