November is here, a month that holds both anticipation of holiday festivities and, for some, a challenge. The shorter days, the focus on gratitude, and the impending holiday season often stir up a mix of emotions. For many, it’s not just about planning meals and gatherings with friends and family; it’s about navigating the unseen weight of fatigue, grief, health challenges, and old emotional patterns that surface more strongly this time of year.
In my recent sessions with clients, I’ve noticed a theme: the hidden layers of pain and beliefs that quietly drain energy and joy. These layers aren’t always obvious. Sometimes they appear as persistent or more prevalent health struggles. For some, pain returns after you thought it was gone, chronic fatigue that won’t release its grip, or sleep that never quite refreshes you. At other times, they show up as emotions—sadness that lingers, unworthiness that whispers beneath the surface, or shame that blocks you from fully embracing who you are.
And during the holidays, these patterns are often amplified. Old family dynamics resurface, and the pressure to “show up” cheerfully can become heavy. In such moments, it may seem easier to push through the discomfort rather than take the time to pause and heal.
One of the most impactful shifts I’ve seen recently is the simple change in language. A client who had been describing her condition as “This is MY long COVID” realized she was reinforcing the identity of illness every time she spoke the words. Together, we reframed it: “My body is continuing to heal.” That single shift of perspective began to change her relationship with her body and her recovery. Additionally, noticing that her body IS healing and focusing on what feels good in her body shifts her mind (thoughts) and her body (emotions) to a greater healing state.
The words we use matter. They either keep us tethered to the past or open us to possibility. This season, pay attention to the story you tell yourself about who you are and where you’re headed. Are you reinforcing limitations, or are you creating space for healing and joy?
Another client explored deep-rooted anger, sadness, and shame using emotional release techniques. What surfaced was a realization that these emotions weren’t enemies to be feared or used against himself; they had once been forms of protection. By acknowledging and releasing them, he was able to reclaim his energy and see himself with more compassion.
This is the hidden work many of us overlook. The stress of holiday planning won’t feel lighter if we’re still carrying decades-old grief or guilt in our body and mind. When you release what no longer fits for you, you create space for new experiences of peace, joy, and connection.
A client recently shared regret about not prioritizing meaningful time with her spouse. We worked together to identify shared activities they enjoy and intentionally plan them. The lesson is simple yet profound: joy doesn’t just happen, it’s chosen, created, and nurtured.
As you step into this season, ask yourself: What simple joys can I choose today? How can I protect time for connection, laughter, or rest, even in the midst of the busy holiday swirl?
November and December tend to magnify whatever we’re carrying. Stress feels heavier, grief feels sharper, and loneliness feels deeper. But this season can also be an invitation: to pause, to look inward, and to ask what hidden layers are ready to be healed before the new year begins.
When you shift your language, release stuck emotions, and choose joy with intention, you permit yourself to enter the holidays not just surviving, but reclaiming your energy, clarity, and purpose.
If you’ve been feeling the weight of unprocessed emotions, recurring or persistent health struggles, or the stress of family and holiday expectations, this is the perfect time to do the inner work that frees you. Healing doesn’t mean ignoring the hard parts; it means finding the strength, clarity, and joy waiting on the other side.
I invite you to schedule a session with me this month. Together, we’ll uncover the hidden patterns holding you back and create a plan to move forward with more ease, energy, and lightness.
Because you deserve more than just making it through the holidays, you deserve to feel at peace and enjoy this holiday season.
