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✨ Triggers during the Holiday Season ✨

Anxious? Stressed? Overwhelmed?

What shows up as anxiety could be your body recognizing patterns from long ago.
And that feeling of “I should be happier than this” is often just the weight of social pressure settling into your chest.

This is not a personal failing.
This is a human nervous system doing exactly what human nervous systems do: protect, signal, react, remember.

If your inner world feels a little louder right now, consider this your reminder that winter is a season of permission: to slow, to soften, to take space, to tend to the parts of you that are tired of holding so much.

Small grounding rituals make a difference.
A warm drink. A longer exhale. A step outside.
A quiet boundary. A moment alone in the bathroom just to breathe.
A scent or texture that brings you back into your body.
Nothing fancy… basic, simple, just enough.

You are not behind. You are not failing.
You are moving through a dense season with a wise and sensitive system.
Above all, know that you are not alone and that you deserve to honour yourself during the holiday season. Treat yourself with the same gentleness you offer everyone else.

✨ If this resonates, save this post for the days your nervous system needs a reminder: You’re allowed to go at your own pace!!!!

#theageofalchemy #nervoussystemhealth #holidaystress #traumainformed #somatictherapy #seasonalliving #wintering #mindbodyconnection #partswork #selfregulation #gentlehealing #holistictherapy #therapistsofinstagram #mentalhealthsupport #anxietytools #selfcareseason #slowdownseason #innerchildhealing #attachmenthealing #restisproductive #healingjourney #psychotherapycanada #ontariotherapist #traumarecovery #highlysensitiveperson #burnoutsupport #compassionatehealing

✨ Triggers during the Holiday Season ✨

Anxious? Stressed? Overwhelmed?

What shows up as anxiety could be your body recognizing patterns from long ago.
And that feeling of “I should be happier than this” is often just the weight of social pressure settling into your chest.

This is not a personal failing.
This is a human nervous system doing exactly what human nervous systems do: protect, signal, react, remember.

If your inner world feels a little louder right now, consider this your reminder that winter is a season of permission: to slow, to soften, to take space, to tend to the parts of you that are tired of holding so much.

Small grounding rituals make a difference.
A warm drink. A longer exhale. A step outside.
A quiet boundary. A moment alone in the bathroom just to breathe.
A scent or texture that brings you back into your body.
Nothing fancy… basic, simple, just enough.

You are not behind. You are not failing.
You are moving through a dense season with a wise and sensitive system.
Above all, know that you are not alone and that you deserve to honour yourself during the holiday season. Treat yourself with the same gentleness you offer everyone else.

✨ If this resonates, save this post for the days your nervous system needs a reminder: You’re allowed to go at your own pace!!!!

#theageofalchemy #nervoussystemhealth #holidaystress #traumainformed #somatictherapy #seasonalliving #wintering #mindbodyconnection #partswork #selfregulation #gentlehealing #holistictherapy #therapistsofinstagram #mentalhealthsupport #anxietytools #selfcareseason #slowdownseason #innerchildhealing #attachmenthealing #restisproductive #healingjourney #psychotherapycanada #ontariotherapist #traumarecovery #highlysensitiveperson #burnoutsupport #compassionatehealing

If December feels heavier than usual… you’re not imagining it.
This season brings endings, shadows, and nervous system contraction.
It’s okay if you’re tired.
It’s okay if you’re sensitive.
It’s okay if you’re not “wrapping up the year” the way the world says you should.

December is a threshold month; a place where shadows lengthen and our energy pulls inward.
If you’re feeling heavy, emotional, or overwhelmed… it’s not a failure.
It’s a season.
A cycle.
A call to return to yourself.

If you feel dysregulated in December, here’s why:
• Less sunlight
• Increased demands + expectations
• Collective pressure to “finish strong”
• A natural seasonal contraction in the nervous system

You’re not losing momentum...you’re moving through a very real physiological shift.
Give yourself permission to slow down.
Your capacity is allowed to change with the season.

If December feels heavy, you’re not alone.
It’s not you... it’s the season.
Slow down. Be gentle. Let this month hold you, not break you.

This month isn’t asking you to hustle.
It’s asking you to settle.
To breathe.
To melt into softer moments.

Light the candles.
Keep the rituals small and gentle.
You don’t have to carry the whole month on your shoulders.

Your nervous system is whispering:
Pause. Breathe. Go gently.

Your body is asking for softness.
Slow down where you can.
Rest where you need.
You’re doing enough.

#holidays #holidayseason #holidaystress #christmasseason #christmaschaos #womensmentalhealth #mentalhealth #stressfreeliving #stressmanagement #restisproductive #selfcarematters #holidayselfcare

If December feels heavier than usual… you’re not imagining it.
This season brings endings, shadows, and nervous system contraction.
It’s okay if you’re tired.
It’s okay if you’re sensitive.
It’s okay if you’re not “wrapping up the year” the way the world says you should.

December is a threshold month; a place where shadows lengthen and our energy pulls inward.
If you’re feeling heavy, emotional, or overwhelmed… it’s not a failure.
It’s a season.
A cycle.
A call to return to yourself.

If you feel dysregulated in December, here’s why:
• Less sunlight
• Increased demands + expectations
• Collective pressure to “finish strong”
• A natural seasonal contraction in the nervous system

You’re not losing momentum...you’re moving through a very real physiological shift.
Give yourself permission to slow down.
Your capacity is allowed to change with the season.

If December feels heavy, you’re not alone.
It’s not you... it’s the season.
Slow down. Be gentle. Let this month hold you, not break you.

This month isn’t asking you to hustle.
It’s asking you to settle.
To breathe.
To melt into softer moments.

Light the candles.
Keep the rituals small and gentle.
You don’t have to carry the whole month on your shoulders.

Your nervous system is whispering:
Pause. Breathe. Go gently.

Your body is asking for softness.
Slow down where you can.
Rest where you need.
You’re doing enough.

#holidays #holidayseason #holidaystress #christmasseason #christmaschaos #womensmentalhealth #mentalhealth #stressfreeliving #stressmanagement #restisproductive #selfcarematters #holidayselfcare

✨IT’S OK TO PIVOT ✨

I had the most beautiful plans for a girls weekend away with friends, one that is long overdue and always makes my heart so happy….but of course Mother Nature had other plans. With all of us now snowed in, it’s become a quiet weekend at home with nothing on the agenda except some intense snow shoveling.

I will be honest, my first reaction was anger. But after a few deep breaths and a little bit of coffee, my mindset shifted to release. Releasing any anger and allowing it to unfold into what can now be a quiet weekend with family and perhaps doing some baking and reading and bingeing the new Stranger Things season. The girls are regrouping and we will plan new dates. Safety and comfort over pushing the plans simply to get it done.

There’s beauty in being able to pivot if we allow it. Our plans change and sure there’s some disappointment, but we can opt to embrace the beauty of what’s on offer instead of being angry and bitter that our original plans didn’t work as we had wanted. I’m grateful that I’ve learned to embrace the art of pivoting over the years….it has supported the release of anxiety and anger and allowed for presence and gratitude instead. Life is all about these pivots, and it’s OK to flow with them. Sometimes they can bring us what we need but didn’t think we had space or time for 💜

#homesweethome🏡 #snowedin #quiettime #changeofplans #pivot #inneralchemy #presence #makethemostofit #goingwiththeflow

✨IT’S OK TO PIVOT ✨

I had the most beautiful plans for a girls weekend away with friends, one that is long overdue and always makes my heart so happy….but of course Mother Nature had other plans. With all of us now snowed in, it’s become a quiet weekend at home with nothing on the agenda except some intense snow shoveling.

I will be honest, my first reaction was anger. But after a few deep breaths and a little bit of coffee, my mindset shifted to release. Releasing any anger and allowing it to unfold into what can now be a quiet weekend with family and perhaps doing some baking and reading and bingeing the new Stranger Things season. The girls are regrouping and we will plan new dates. Safety and comfort over pushing the plans simply to get it done.

There’s beauty in being able to pivot if we allow it. Our plans change and sure there’s some disappointment, but we can opt to embrace the beauty of what’s on offer instead of being angry and bitter that our original plans didn’t work as we had wanted. I’m grateful that I’ve learned to embrace the art of pivoting over the years….it has supported the release of anxiety and anger and allowed for presence and gratitude instead. Life is all about these pivots, and it’s OK to flow with them. Sometimes they can bring us what we need but didn’t think we had space or time for 💜

#homesweethome🏡 #snowedin #quiettime #changeofplans #pivot #inneralchemy #presence #makethemostofit #goingwiththeflow

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Psychotherapy services are offered by Ilona Farry, RP (Qualifying), under CRPO regulation. Wellness services such as but not limited to Reiki and spiritual coaching are not psychotherapy and are offered separately. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any health condition. For mental health emergencies, contact a crisis line or 911.

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