BTW - If you didn't already know, I'm Sarah - Drink Less; Live Better founder, best-selling author, expert speaker, life coach and, as you already know, podcast host!
We don't have to hit rock bottom, we're allowed to want something different and we can CHOOSE to improve our lives from this point onwards.
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Transcripts
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Okay, darling hearts. Here it is, the Christmas Eve deep breath.
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The festive period can be one of the most challenging times of the year for many people.
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Images of perfect family gatherings and joyous celebrations fill our screens and shops.
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The reality, of course, can be very different.
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You might be dealing with loneliness, grief, family tensions, financial pressures, or simply feeling out of step with the forced cheer around you.
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Perhaps this time of year brings up difficult memories or highlights absences that feel especially raw.
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You're not alone in these feelings and you're not weird for finding these things hard.
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Remember that beneath the commercial gloss and the social expectations this is just a series of days like any other.
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You have got complete permission to experience and move through them in whichever way works best for you.
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There is no rule that says you must feel merry or celebrate in any particular way.
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Your only obligation is to take care of yourself with gentleness and understanding.
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If you're grieving this season, I'm sorry, and know that it's natural for your loss to feel magnified right now.
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Consider creating some small private ways to give space to your memories and also give yourself the chance to step back or away when you need to.
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If you're feeling lonely or isolated, I see you.
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Social media and seasonal messaging can make it seem like everyone else is surrounded by loved ones, but this isn't true. Many people spend this time quietly.
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Consider inviting people to spend time with you in ways that feel comfortable, but also know that it's more than okay to find peace in solitude.
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If financial pressures are causing anxiety, remember that your value as a human being has nothing to do with what you can or cannot afford to purchase.
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The marketing machine of the season is relentless, but you don't need to subscribe to its definition of celebration.
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Some of the most meaningful moments come from simple connections and small gestures.
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For those people who are navigating difficult family dynamics, protect your boundaries with confidence.
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You can love people while still maintaining some healthy limits.
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It's okay to step away from situations that feel overwhelming, to keep visits brief or to decline invitations altogether, if that's what your well-being requires.
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Your mental and emotional health matters more than meeting other other people's expectations.
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If you're struggling with mental health challenges, the pressure to be festive can feel suffocating.
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Give yourself permission to maintain your coping strategies and routine even if others don't understand, especially if others don't understand.
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Take your medication, keep your therapy appointments, stick to helpful sleep patterns, don't drink alcohol, and continue whatever practices help you to stay stable.
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This season will pass, and your priority is taking care of yourself one day at a time.
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Remember, there is no perfect way to handle this time of year.
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If you need to change or drop traditions that no longer serve you, then do.
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If you want to create entirely new well ways of marking the season, then do.
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If you need to treat these as ordinary days and focus simply on just ticking through them, then that is completely valid.
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Consider telling some trusted friends or members how you're feeling.
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Many people understand these struggles, but they just don't speak of them and then that creates a false impression that everyone else is coping perfectly.
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Your honesty might help someone else feel less alone with their complex feelings.
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Be especially gentle with yourself in the quiet moments.
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If you need extra rest, take it.
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If old griefs or hurts surface, acknowledge them with some compassion.
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You might be carrying burdens that others might not see, and I know that you are doing the best you can. Know that this season will pass. All seasons do.
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Thank you for listening in today and, PS, I believe in you.
