Introduction

In this heartfelt December episode, Patricia shares stories of Christmases past, present, and future, and how the festive season, while full of joy, can also bring exhaustion, overwhelm, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and emotional strain.

Patricia shares a poetic reflection on her former “autopilot Christmases,” the impact of mental fitness on transforming the holiday experience, and practical tools to help you reclaim peace, presence, and personal power this festive season. How you can not only survive Christmas but thrive through it.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or any other big holiday, this episode offers guidance to help you thrive, not merely survive.

Key Takeaways

• Christmas stress is often habit-driven. Much of the overwhelm comes from autopilot patterns: needing to control, please, or perfect everything.


• The Power of the Pause can transform your emotional experience, helping you choose peace, compassion, and presence rather than chaos and reactivity.


• A Personal Christmas Mission Statement brings clarity and intention to the season, helping you stay aligned with what truly matters.


• Emotional wellbeing > perfection. People remember connection, humour, and togetherness, not flawless dinners or pristine décor.


• Boundaries are essential. Saying yes to everything often means saying no to yourself.


• Support children with empathy. Christmas consumerism can heighten expectations; teaching emotional awareness and kindness helps them navigate disappointment.


• Joy is created, not bought. Connection, generosity, and shared traditions hold much deeper value than gifts.

Notable Quotes

• “Between every stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” – Viktor Frankl


• “No one can drive you crazy unless you give them the keys.”


• “This Christmas, begin with the end in mind and choose what truly matters to you.”


• “Your wellbeing is priceless, kindness and connection last longer than perfection.”


• “The power is not in the choice itself, but in consciously choosing.”

Practical Recommendations

1. Write Your Personal Christmas Mission Statement

Reflect on:

• Past Christmases—your memories, values, and lessons


• The present—your intentions and what you want to cultivate


• The future—how you want to feel in early January

Turn your reflections into a short, positive, written daily reminder such as:

“This Christmas, I choose………… calm, connection, and presence.”

1. Practice the Power of the Pause

Use mindful pauses to:

• Regulate your emotions


• Reduce reactivity


• Redirect energy from chaos toward love, compassion, clarity, and peace

1. Let Go of Autopilot “Needs”

• Need to control:

Prioritise kindness over being right; release tension for the greater good.

• Need to be perfect:

Embrace imperfection. Chaos often becomes the story everyone laughs about years later.

• Need to please:

Choose your “yes” and “no” consciously. Set boundaries. Ask for help. Delegate.

1. Support Children Emotionally

• Validate their feelings, especially around disappointment or comparison


• Use creative outlets to help them express emotions


• Teach the joy of giving with family kindness lists, handmade gifts, or toy donations

1. Remember What Christmas Is Really About

Connection.

Joy.

Presence.

Compassion.

Shared moments—not perfect gifts or flawless planning.

Food you can buy more of! Gifts you can buy more of!

But time is something you can’t buy!

contact me via my website www.pacoaching.co.uk

or email me hello@pacoaching.co.uk