Navigating the Festive Spin
A theme seems to emerge around this time of year—a pattern I’ve come to recognise as the December slump. It’s not a bad feeling, exactly, but it’s not the romantic, picture-perfect version of the festive season we so often imagine, either. Instead, it’s a quiet sense of misalignment, as if I’m moving too quickly through a season that begs to be savoured. Time feels so full and fast that it becomes difficult to truly settle into the moments and take them in.
This year, that feeling has been made more complicated by the first anniversary of losing my dad. It’s added an emotional weight to the season, one I wasn’t fully prepared for. November is already a whirlwind—my kids’ birthday brings so much joy, but it’s also a time of endless planning, organising, and doing everything I can to make it special for them. Layering the bittersweet reflection of this anniversary onto that has made it harder to find my footing as the season progresses.
By the time December has rolled around, I’ve felt myself pulled along by the momentum of it all. It’s not that I don’t find joy in the season—I do—but the fast pace of life, the added emotional layers, and the constant busyness make it harder to slow down and feel truly present. I find myself longing for stillness, for a chance to pause and breathe, but creating that space amid everything often feels like an added pressure. This year, more than ever, I’m noticing how much I am longing for that stillness to ground myself and fully appreciate the season.
As an introvert, I need time to recharge, to be alone with my thoughts and to regain a sense of balance. But during this season, finding that space can be a challenge. There’s so much time spent with others—whether it’s family, friends, or holiday gatherings. While these moments are often joyful and full of love, they can also be draining. Even the most positive social interactions can sometimes leave me feeling stretched thin.
Part of this feeling comes from the sheer busyness of the season, but it’s also influenced by the emotional layers that come with it. The end of the year naturally brings reflection, and with it, a mix of emotions: gratitude for the good, sadness for what’s been lost, and a sense of unfinished business for the things left undone. It’s a lot to hold all at once. Without intentional moments to pause and reset, it can feel like I’m being swept up in the fast pace of it all, rather than moving through it with intention.
This week, I recognised what was happening. I could feel myself slipping into that familiar box-ticking mode—rushing through tasks, just trying to get everything done. It’s not that the things I’m doing aren’t meaningful, but when I’m in that mindset, it all starts to feel a bit mechanical, like I’m just going through the motions.
Noticing it felt like a bit of a wake-up call. It made me pause and take stock of how I was feeling and where my energy was going. I realised I wasn’t really giving things the attention or care they deserved, and I wasn’t giving myself much of a chance to breathe, either. Just acknowledging it felt like a small shift, a moment to step back and say, “Okay, this is where I am. What now?”
It’s not about getting it perfectly right or transforming everything overnight. For me, it’s about trying to move with a little more intention, even in the middle of the end-of-year/festive frenzy. Slowing down just enough to bring a bit more presence and authenticity to the things that matter. This week, I started to do that, and it made a difference. Not everything, but enough.
The Well-Meaning - "Just Slow Down"
I hear the well-meaning advice to “just slow down,” and while it sounds wonderful in theory, it’s not always realistic. Work pressure is intense right now, and when life is full of demands, slowing down can feel out of my control. Even trying to carve out calm can become another task on an already overwhelming to-do list.
This is where revisiting the circles of control has helped me. I may not always have the power to slow everything down, but I can choose where I focus my energy. For example, yesterday my daughter and I were in London, caught up in the mad rush. Instead of forcing ourselves to push through it, we chose to sit in a restaurant and watch the world go by. That small choice—taking control of one moment—became the highlight of the day (aside from an incredible performance we saw afterwards).
The festive season is rarely perfect, and it doesn't have to be. I’m working with self-compassion—something that doesn’t always come naturally to me. It’s a practice I’m trying to embrace, and I’ll admit, it can be hard. Letting go of the urge to meet impossible standards or do everything perfectly takes effort, especially when the pressure is high. But when I manage it—when I pause, take a breath, and show myself a little kindness—it’s worth it. Those moments of grace create space to savour what truly matters, even amidst the chaos. The irony is, when I try to do it all—cramming everything in and rushing to check every box—I don’t do things the way I want, and I certainly don’t enjoy them as much. It often leaves me with a sense of disappointment, like I’ve missed something. And as I always remind my kids, you can’t rewind—there are no "do-overs." That thought sticks with me and reminds me to pause and consider whether I’m making the most of the moment in front of me.
That’s not to say it’s easy, and I certainly haven’t mastered it. Slowing down, letting go, and prioritising aren’t natural tendencies for me, especially when I feel the weight of expectations. But I hope that with awareness, I can catch myself and make different choices when I can—choosing what truly matters over trying to do it all. It’s not about "doing it all"; it’s about making the most of what’s here now, even if that’s just one small choice at a time.
Listening to Yourself with Compassion
How are you feeling as we move into this festive month? Have you paused to check in with yourself amidst the busyness?
Listening to yourself during periods of stress or misalignment is essential because it’s a way of acknowledging your own needs and emotions, rather than pushing them aside.
If you were speaking to a loved one feeling the way you do now, what would you say to them? Could you offer that same kindness and understanding to yourself?
Recognising your feelings—whatever they may be—is valid, and they deserve attention. Compassionate listening isn’t about trying to fix things or forcing yourself to feel differently; it’s about creating space to notice what’s happening within you and responding with care.
What might you need in this moment? What would help you feel more at ease, even in small ways?
By tuning in without judgment, you can begin to better understand your needs and take steps that feel grounding and authentic, even if life around you is chaotic. Perhaps it’s not about doing more or solving everything but about offering yourself a moment to simply be.
Practical Takeaways: Reflect, Reframe, and Reset
Pause and Reflect: Take a moment to check in with yourself. Ask questions like, “How am I feeling right now?” or “What do I need in this moment?” Allow yourself to acknowledge your emotions without judgment.
Let Go of the Shoulds: Give yourself permission to say no to commitments that feel overwhelming. Remember, you don’t have to meet every expectation—yours or anyone else’s.
Create Small Pockets of Calm: If slowing down completely isn’t realistic, look for small opportunities to pause. Maybe it’s five minutes with a cup of tea, a quiet walk, or even just a deep breath before tackling the next task.
Ask for Help: You don’t have to do it all on your own. Reaching out for support—whether it’s sharing a task or simply talking to someone—can make a big difference.
Challenge the Pressure to “Slow Down”: Instead of feeling guilty about being busy, focus on what’s within your control. What’s one small, meaningful adjustment you can make today to bring yourself a bit of ease?
This festive season, I invite you to take a moment to explore what works for you. Maybe it’s pausing to ask yourself, “How am I feeling right now?” or letting go of a commitment that feels like too much. Perhaps it’s carving out a small pocket of calm—a quiet moment to breathe or sip a cup of tea—or reaching out to someone for help.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection or fixing everything at once. It’s about trying small, intentional steps to see what brings you a little more ease and balance. Pick one thing from the takeaways and give it a go this week. You might be surprised at the difference it makes.
This week, I attended a course on resilience at work (I’m part of the pilot group, having sponsored the training myself—knowing how vital it is in today’s work environment). One message stood out to me as a powerful reminder: If you have more than three priorities, you have no priorities. It’s such a simple yet impactful thought and one I think many of us need to hear, especially when juggling the competing demands of a busy workplace or life in general.
It also reinforced another important truth: resilience doesn’t just happen on its own. We all need a toolkit to support our personal resilience and well-being—intentional practices that we can incorporate into our daily lives or turn to when we need them most. Whether it’s moments to pause and reflect, strategies for managing stress, or habits that keep us grounded, these tools help us navigate challenges and maintain balance.
The key, I think, is finding what works for you—practices that fit into your life and feel meaningful. Building and tending to that toolkit isn’t just a one-time effort; it’s an ongoing commitment to yourself.
A Gift to Yourself This Festive Season
As the year draws to a close, consider giving yourself a moment of pause—a chance to reflect, realign, and breathe amidst the busyness. I’m offering a one-off coaching session for £40, designed to be a space just for you.
This isn’t about resolutions or big plans unless that’s what you need. It’s simply an opportunity to honour where you are right now—whether that’s processing the year behind you, celebrating your wins, or finding clarity for what’s ahead.
Let this hour be your gift to yourself—a moment of self-compassion and care in a season that so often pulls us in all directions.
If this feels like something you’d benefit from, book your session here. Spaces are limited, and this special offer is available for a short time.
Take this time for you—you deserve it.
