December is often filled with year-end celebrations, parties and all manner of gatherings. While it is a time for much joy and connection, it can also be a very difficult time for people in recovery as people must either face these challenges or completely remove themselves. Even for those not in recovery, binge drinking, indulgences and family pressures can derail or upset the balance. While there is not a one-size-fit-all approach to managing these triggers or to employing mindfulness practices to get keep your grounded in these challenging times—being gentle with yourself and realistic about what you can or cannot conquer are habits we can all employ at any time of year to keep mindfulness in the forefront. 

Holidays and family dynamics aside, this is a season where we can take the opportunity to conserve energy while still resetting goals and recommitting to them. 

As the year comes to a close, it is natural to view our goals and activities as a cycle with a  beginning, middle and end--rather than a progression. But perhaps it is time to reframe how we see these times of transition, while rest and recovery are important, they do not have to signal an end to goals and moving towards attainment. I do not think we should view winter as a time of loss, but rather, as a time to review, reset and recommit.

I go into more depth about this topic in an article I wrote for the December issue of Natural Awakenings Magazine. In addition, I recently spoke with Sasha-Anne Simons on WBEZ about recognizing COVID-induced burn out and how it can affect our lives.

Thank you for joining me on this journey this year--I look forward to connecting with you in the coming year and beyond. See you in 2022!