Before the Holiday Rush: A Gut-Check on What Really Matters

Every year, as soon as November arrives, the world seems to speed up toward one thing: buy more, do more, be more → MORE.

Black Friday.
Small Business Saturday.
Cyber Monday.
An inbox full of “LAST CHANCE!” emails.

The winter season that historically calls us to slow down, pause, and be warm has turned into a full-body, mind, and emotional marathon of stress. Instead, I’d like to offer an alternative. Pause and ask this question of yourself:

What matters most to YOU this holiday season?

Try to peel back the noise of what might be expected of you, of what social media tells you to do, or even what your neighbors are doing. There’s no room for “keeping up with the Joneses” here. What feels right for you?

FOMO is real this time of year. So is the pressure to say yes to everything — invitations, events, drinks, sweets, sales, “festive” obligations. And honestly: you’re allowed to say no. You get to choose when you want to say yes. Often, when you say no, you’re actually saying yes to yourself, and that can feel strange if you’re usually the giver or the doer for everyone and everything.

Here’s something to try. When you’re faced with a decision, pause, take a deep belly breath, and ask yourself:

Do I actually want to do this?
Does my body feel open to the idea, or does it close down?
Do I want this on my calendar, or will it leave me rushing?
Do I want to eat or drink this? Will my body thank me or feel icky tomorrow?
Do I want or need to buy this? Will it be cherished for years to come? Does it bring joy, for me or the person receiving it?

It’s the awareness that matters — the pause. That’s the first step.

This applies to everything: going to a party, buying a “deal,” eating the cookies someone brought to work, pouring a second cocktail, staying up late for another holiday movie.

Most people skip that moment of choice — especially in December — and rely on a January reset to undo the exhaustion, bloating, crankiness, and tight pants. The big New Year overhaul rarely sticks. When you enter January depleted, the motivation is coming from desperation, not intention, and that robs you of agency.

Meeting the holidays with awareness and balance — not perfection, not restriction — lets you enter the new year with more ease. You might still want a reset, but it won’t come from feeling burnt out. It comes from a grounded desire to reconnect to your body, heart, and mind.

In my house, we celebrate Christmas. I love the lights, the coziness, the family time, the rituals around the dinner table. But the gifts? Especially the receiving? I’m noticing those don’t matter to me in the same way anymore. When my son was young, I went all in — presents covering the floor. Fast forward to now, and our needs have shifted. We keep the rituals that bring us closer, and most of them have nothing to do with buying anything.

It helps to check in with your family ahead of time and ask: What matters most to you this year? Time together? A thoughtful gift? A night of games by the fire? Cooking something special? Or skipping presents entirely? You might be surprised by what actually rises to the top.

And then there’s the food. The holidays come with more sugar, more alcohol, richer meals, and nonstop snacks. Instead of judging yourself, try paying attention. How do you feel after a cocktail or two? How many cookies feel fun, and how many tip you into “ugh, why did I do that?” Which foods help you feel grounded instead of depleted?

One simple way to stay steady without restricting anything: eat fiber, fat, and protein together, no matter what. It steadies your blood sugar, stabilizes your mood, reduces cravings, and creates more resilience — which is especially helpful when you’re navigating unexpected comments from Aunt Sally or Cousin Larry.

This season, instead of letting the world dictate your pace, choose more nourishment. More slowness where it matters. More alignment with your values. More connection, less chaos. More of what makes you feel like yourself.

You don’t have to match the frenzy.
You get to decide what this season means for you — for your body, your mind, your family, your energy.

And that choice is what will carry you into the new year with clarity instead of burnout.