Welcome to this week’s edition of Wellness Goals Weekly, your place for wellness support, inspiration, and down-to-earth advice to help you thrive.

Let’s be honest, the festive season often whirls in like a snow globe - glittery, a little chaotic, and full of pressure to do and be “more.” There are days when the to-do list seems to breed overnight; presents, parties, never-ending food shops, festive events, and enough family logistics to rival Santa’s. If, like me, your mind feels like it’s running through its own version of the twelve days of Christmas (complete with spreadsheet panic), you’re not alone.

In this week's Blog, as we head into the “x days until Christmas!” countdown, I want to offer a different kind of list: The Festive Worry-Bin.

This is your invitation to grab an imaginary bin bag and toss in all those seasonal anxieties that only weigh you down. We’re not cancelling Christmas, Grinch-style. We’re simply making space for what the season is really meant for—connection, laughter, and a little peace and quiet with our special people amidst the madness.

Let’s see what we can bin, starting now.

Bin the Worry of Finding the ‘Perfect' Gift

The pressure to find the perfect gift is real, and can take the fun out of giving altogether. We scroll, research, research some more, worry ourselves into a shopping frenzy, convinced Christmas magic is dependent on nailing everyone’s wish list.

Let’s bin that notion right now. The gifts people remember are rarely the flashiest; they’re the thoughtful, given with love ones, that simply mark the moment you were there. Your presence is more valuable than any present.

Actionable tip: Simplify things with a house rule. Set a budget, try Secret Santa, or choose “one thing that would make them smile.” In our family, we now only buy for the children, and adults do a £10 Secret Santa. We end up laughing at the wrapping and gifts, making it fun and stress-free.

Bin the Worry of Festive Food Guilt

If Christmas isn’t about mince pies and tins of Quality Street, what is it about? Yet there’s often a whisper (“January diet!”) as you reach for another roast potato or wedge of cheese. The guilt doesn’t make anything taste better, so why invite it to the table?

Let’s ditch the “good” and “bad” thinking. You’re allowed to enjoy your favourites, no strings (or calories) attached. A few days of eating whatever you like won’t undo your wellbeing, but constant guilt can sap your joy.

Actionable tip: Rather than cut things out, add in. Start your day with something wholesome or hydrating, a bowl of porridge, topped with your favourite nuts & berries, a large glass of water and some movement, and you’ll feel more balanced the rest of the time. This gentle nudge towards nourishment sets you up to savour everything without the aftertaste of guilt.

Bin the Worry of Pleasing Absolutely Everyone

If you’re trying to make the whole family happy, please know this: you’re not a Christmas miracle worker. Juggling who goes where, when, and making sure everyone’s glass is topped up can leave you running on empty, sometimes before the day even begins.

Let go of the urge to be everywhere for everyone. You deserve traditions you actually enjoy, not ones that drain you.

Actionable tip: Pick a tradition that lights you up, even if it makes no sense to anyone else. A few years ago, we scrapped our old routine of a big family Christmas Eve trip to watch panto in Manchester; lovely as it was in theory, it always felt like a rush and hassle on the day. Instead, we now go for a wintry walk at Dunham Massey, say hello to the reindeer, then pile home for pyjamas, Christmas movies, and a table full of “picky bits.” It’s simple, slow, and honestly, so much happier.

Your Permission Slip: 25 Festive 'Musts' to Let Go Of

Give yourself a break with these reminders—it really, truly doesn’t matter if…

1.  The wrapping paper is left over from last year (or doesn’t match).
2.  You buy the mince pies (nobody is auditing your pastry skills).
3.  Christmas cards don’t get written, sent, or even bought.
4.  The kids have an extra chocolate coin or three.
5.  There are muddy shoes in your hallway when guests arrive.
6.  You give a “safe” gift voucher instead of something inspired.
7.  Your roast potatoes are slightly charred.
8.  You turn down a party invitation (or two).
9.  You wear the same festive jumper to every event.
10.  You need a breather while everyone else carries on.
11.  You don’t feel festive every moment of every day.
12.  You get a takeaway because cooking feels like too much.
13.  The Christmas tree is a bit wonky or sparsely decorated.
14.  Chocolate sneaks its way into breakfast (and lunch).
15.  You swap your workout for a cosy, chilled film afternoon.
16.  Family conversations are a mix of laughter and awkwardness.
17.  You dip out of a gathering early.
18.  The Elf on the Shelf never moved (or never existed!).
19.  This year’s budget is tight.
20.  The to-do list is nowhere near “done.”
21.  You ask for help often.
22.  New Year’s Eve is just a quiet night at home.
23.  The magic feels more like a subtle sparkle than a West End show.
24.  The stuffing is from a packet, and you forgot the sprouts.
25.  Very little goes according to plan.

It Does Matter That…

•  You pause, rest, and give yourself permission to breathe, even (especially) when it’s busy.
•  You share a laugh or a heartfelt moment with someone you care about.
•  You find a pocket of stillness when the noise gets too much.
•  You check in with yourself and put your own needs on the list.
•  You treat yourself with as much kindness as you do everyone else.

As you sift through what’s worth keeping and what can go in the festive worry-bin, remember that Christmas is about the bits you’ll actually remember, not what anyone on Social Media tells you to do. And if you want, share your own “it doesn’t matter if...” moments with me, I’d love to hear them.

Cheering you on to wellness success,

Pilates   Soundbaths   EFT   Wellness & Mindset Coaching