To thrive and lead a fulfilling life, I believe we need to nurture the most important relationship in our life – the one we have with our Self! Thus, my intention here is to share with you matters I hope you’ll find useful to guide you on your journey to create a loving relationship with yourself and others, and to build a life you desire.

December – the culmination of the year: the “last chance” to meet expectations, fulfil goals, and show up for the people we care about, or? 🎄

Let’s begin…

With only one free weekend in the past two months, at moments it felt tight in my own skin. My days were filled with crazy schedules and overwhelming deadlines, much doing and less being, very little time for self care and soul-feeding; and almost no inspiration and creativity – a constant state of survival. “You need to make it until 16th December!” was my mantra.

It seems like the whole world mirrors my feelings: crowded stores, streets and markets, people running like headless chickens, honking cars in traffic jams, endless to-do lists, tired and overwhelmed faces, last minute cancellations due to forgetfulness or sickness (the body speaks) and everyone I meet can’t wait for the holidays to begin to finally rest. It’s as if December creates its own gravitational pull, sucking us into a vortex of busyness, urgency, and consumption.

Are we biting more than we can chew in December? Are we intentionally heading to burnout knowing that holidays are coming and we can breathe out? Is it the holidays, the end of the calendar year, or something deeper embedded in the way we live and function as a society?

Psychologically, we experience December as a closing chapter, and that drives us to tie up loose ends. Deadlines intensify, social obligations multiply, and pressure mounts to create perfectholiday moments. Our mental maps and attitudes towards celebrations of cultural and religious holidays are influenced by a lifetime of cultural conditioning. This conditioning often convinces us that the holidays are about more: more gifts, more parties, more commitments.

I encourage you to reflect on the mental maps guiding your December and holiday choices. Ask yourself:

Is everything that I am doing in December necessary and what does it give me?

Are these traditions serving my well-being and values, or am I simply following patterns?

To continue,

Throughout this period of “tightness in my own skin”, a single thought kept echoing in my mind: “Next year I will plan more intentionally“.

Many of us push through December with the promise of January 1st on the horizon. The New Year becomes a symbol of hope, a fresh start. We tell ourselves that everything will change – next year, we’ll slow down, get healthier, begin exercise, or be more present. But without intention, the cycle repeats itself, year after year.

So, join me this January to plan 2025 intentionally together!You will learn how to set outcomes in a way that your conscious and unconscious mind are aligned and work together towards successful implementation – the NLP way.

Treat yourself for the holidays, let this be your gift to your SELF 🎁 Click herenow.

Before we end,

How to Reclaim December: A Mindful Approach

If you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or disconnected this season, here are ways to step out of the December frenzy and reclaim a sense of peace:

1. Set Intentional Priorities

Take a moment to ask yourself:

• What truly matters to me this month?
• Which obligations can I let go of?
• How can I simplify the holidays?

Focus on what aligns with your values – whether that’s quality time with loved ones, giving back, or prioritizing rest.

2. Resist the Pressure to Consume

Shift your focus from material to educational gifts and experiences that create connection. Create your own gifts or give away items that you don’t use. Repurposing and “pre-owned” are in fashion 🙂 Research published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that focusing on material possessions for happiness creates a paradox: the more we consume, the less satisfied we feel. This disconnect creates what psychologists call “hedonic adaptation” – the phenomenon where we quickly return to a baseline level of happiness, no matter how many gifts we buy.

3. Embrace Rest and Stillness

The winter season invites us to slow down and reflect, much like nature does. Honor this by creating moments of stillness:

• Light a candle and enjoy a quiet evening.
• Practice mindfulness through meditation or breathing exercises.
• Allow yourself to rest without guilt.

4. Be Present

Instead of rushing through the season, pause to savour small moments: the smell of cinnamon in the air, the sound of laughter, or the twinkle of lights. Presence brings more joy than perfection ever will.

To finish,

My message for the month of December is:

Make time to reflect and learn from 2024: what were the wins and what were the lessons?

A suggestion for your further reading:

Wintering & Celebrations – the newsletter of December 2023