A manifesto for a slower, more mindful festive period

How I'm making December feel less overwhelming and more joyful

Nov 27, 2024

Hello, I’m Jodie. A Yoga teacher & creator. I write about my quest to live a slower pace of life with themes of rest, living slower, healing and self discovery. Subscribe to support my work & to read more. Or, pull up a chair and join our Slower Space community to access all content and the monthly journaling club!

This time of year, at it’s core, feels like magic to me.

I love the cosiness of the candles and fairy lights, the baking, getting together with friends and family.

So much of it is a joy and it’s a time I look forward to!

Having said that, there’s been so many years it’s felt overwhelming more than anything else.

Years where I’ve panic bought gifts, then felt guilt around what I’ve gifted, pressured myself into being way too busy, felt comparison creep in around everything and just been far too invested in curating a Christmas that looks good.

A few years back I realised I needed to make some changes, shift my focus and start acting on what truly makes me feel good this time of year.

So, with that, I thought i’d share some reflections in the form of a manifesto for a calmer, more joyful time…

A manifesto for a calmer, more joyful Christmas

Set your intention. This was like step one. I was so swept up in the capitalist version of Christmas that I needed to get clear on how I actually wanted to spend the time. Ask yourself, what makes me feel good? How do I want to show up? If you’re not sure, think back to previous years and see if any moments feel more joyful than others, and consider what your dream day looks like - how can you incorporate more of that into December? (we’ll be leaning into this in December’s Monthly Journaling Club)
Be honest with yourself, and others. I think a lot of the pressure and overwhelm comes from expectations. Have those conversations with loved ones, explore what gifting less, setting limits, changing up certain activities or adding a new tradition in would feel like. Would doing a secret Santa work? This site is brilliant to generate one person if there’s a bigger group! Know that your opinions and voice matters.
Block, mute, or maybe even delete for a while. Honestly, I think for the most part, social media and Christmas just don’t mix well. Regardless of your plans, it’s hard not to let comparison creep in when you’re seeing thousands of people’s festive best bits. Protect your peace!
Experiment with new traditions that strengthen connection. Are there any new traditions that will allow you to connect with loved ones on a deeper level this year? Even something as simple as a wintery walk in nature or crafting session. This is the kind of thing I actively have to plan in otherwise it just doesn’t happen, but I’ve always found it to be well worth the effort.
Honour your boundaries. If you resonated with the people pleasing element around Christmas, I know this can be tough, and quite honestly feel exhausting… I think this time of year more than ever it’s important to stay firm in what feels right for you too, and knowing that your needs matter. People’s reactions to your boundaries say more about them than you.
Leave early if you want to, and no, you really don’t need a “good” reason to.
Something to ask before making that Black Friday purchase… Will I want this in a years time or would I prefer to have someone give me that amount of money? For me this really puts into perspective whether something is worth it, if I’d rather than the cash, it’s a no!
Invite a sense of hygge in. The Danes seriously know how to honour the darker months! Hygge is all about a sense of connection to the small moments, both alone and with others, helping to ease the harder parts of the season.
Know that two things can exist at once. Know the joy of Christmas can be present among the guilt, worry, or sadness. For so many reasons this time of year can feel tough, so bring yourself compassion during those moments over shame for the festivities not being perfect - you’re human.
Disregard anyone’s opinions on what you should and shouldn’t be eating. Something I come back to time and time again is “what feels right for me”, and seriously, don’t waste energy worrying about what you’ve ate.
Think of generosity outside of gifting. Yes the adverts tell us that something new will put a smile on a loved ones face, but if we’re really honest with ourselves, is giving a gift the most generous act? Would someone prefer quality time?
Scrap the idea it needs to be perfect. I don’t think our ability to see what everyone’s Christmas looks like helps with this. We set our sights and expectations on a day without hiccups or bickering, forgetting that humans are complex and family dynamics don’t just disappear because it’s Christmas! Instead, try to bring in a sense of presence and a knowing that it doesn’t need to be perfect.
Shop small. Shopping small really adds to the festive magic. The business owner is thrilled, but equally, you can’t help but soak up a bit of that joy for yourself knowing you’ve bought from an individual who’s put love into something - it’s a win win!
Have regular moments to check-in. With the overwhelm this time can bring, taking a moment to notice how you feel in your body can be a powerful way to ground. This post shares some ways to ground that are perfect for the coming months.
Know you don’t have to buy new. It’s our first year having Christmas at our own home, naturally I’m buying some things new, but I’ve also decided to DIY a wreath, garland and a few plastic free decorations (cue the dried orange slices). So far foraging for those bits has been a joy, and it’s felt wholesome crafting and seeing the results. Even outside of the festive period, this book shares how crafting and using our hands especially through winter can be linked to an increase in overall wellbeing.
Trust that your Christmas doesn’t have to look a certain way. For many of us the festive period can bring up a whole lot of heaviness. There’s estrangements, missing loved ones, tricky family dynamics… All sorts, right!? Trust that whatever your situation this festive period, you’re note alone in it ❤️

What would you add to facilitate a calmer Christmas?

A few reminder before I sign off incase you missed them…

December’s Monthly Journaling Club - Monday 2nd December at 8pm

I’m really looking forward to this months journaling club, it’s all about boundaries and planning for a calmer, more intentional month.

If you haven’t been before, it’s a 45 minute guided journaling session that happens via Zoom at the start of each month to help you tune out the distractions, go inwards and re-align for the month ahead.

To join, all you need is your journal, a pen and anything else you require to feel comfortable and at ease. There’s no pressure to have your camera on, just come as you are and we can journal together as a collective ❤️

Winter Wisdom Workshop - booking now live!

If a cosy evening leaning into the wisdom of winter and resting sounds ideal mid-December, join me for Winter Wisdom! Sn online workshop to celebrate and mark the Winter Solstice.

It’s a 90 minute session designed to support you to find ease this winter, mark the solstice & retreat into rest.

This workshop is for you if...

You want to learn how to lean into and embrace the winter months
You'd benefit from creating a winter vision to help guide you through
You want to feel a sense of celebration and mark the winter solstice
You're feeling overwhelmed and would benefit from 90 minutes of rest and reconnection

Expect practical advice and guidance, time and support to set your winter vision, and a mindful movement practice with Yoga Nidra to finish. All movement is beginner friendly with a focus on releasing. You're encouraged to come as you are 💖

Book Here

I can’t wait to see some of you there!

Love & gratitude,

Jodie x

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