The holidays don't have to be something you survive. In this episode, we're talking about how to create actual alignment with who you want to be and how you want to feel as you move into the new year - without perfection, rigidity, or writing off the next six weeks. Learn how to identify your values, use past patterns as data, and create real strategies for navigating holiday events in a way that supports both your health and your joy.
I discuss:
- Why "lose 5 pounds" isn't a useful guiding light (and what to focus on instead)
- How to identify the values and feelings that will guide your decisions through the holidays
- Using your past patterns as data instead of shame to create better strategies
- Reframing the challenges of the season (darkness, cold, stress) as opportunities
- The Holiday Event Audit: a practical framework for navigating parties, dinners, and gatherings with intention
- Why the "how" becomes easier when you're clear on who you want to become
- Reflection questions to keep you aligned without being restrictive
Key Takeaways:
- Your guiding light should be about how you want to feel and who you want to be, not arbitrary metrics
- Past patterns aren't character flaws - they're information that helps you create better strategies
- Working WITH the season instead of fighting it makes everything more sustainable
- Having a loose plan for holiday events helps you make aligned decisions in the moment
- When you know your values, the daily choices become clearer
Questions mentioned in the episode:
- What would feel different in my life if I showed up for myself consistently through the end of this year?
- When I think about how I want to feel on January 1st, what actions today would get me there?
- What am I really working toward beyond just the physical changes?
- When I've stayed consistent during difficult times before, what helped me most?
- What patterns do I notice when I start to lose momentum?
- What does "good enough" look like right now, given everything on my plate?
Connect w/ Meryl:
www.wickedironstrength.com
Email: meryl@wickedironstrength.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/merylcbc & www.instagram.com/wickedironstrength
Email list: https://go.wickedironstrength.com/newsletter
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