There’s something about the month of December that feels like the final leg of a marathon. Not the beginning, where the excitement is fresh, the energy high, and the pace easy. But that last grueling stretch where the cheering crowds are louder, expectations are heavier, and every step requires just a little more intention.
This “marathon” didn’t start on December 1st. It really began sometime in early September, right after Labor Day. You know, when pumpkin-themed everything made its first appearance. In what felt like three blinks, Halloween aisles and pumpkin spice lattes gave way to Thanksgiving chocolate turkeys, only to be replaced by Christmas trees, menorahs, garland, and everything flavored peppermint. And alongside the décor came planning: Who’s hosting? Who’s cooking? Where are we going? What are we buying? It’s a lot!
And so now as December rolls in, there’s often a part of me (and maybe you too?) whispering:
I’m tired. I need a breath. When can I slow down?
But in a season defined by pace, shopping, wrapping, cooking, traveling, and gathering, there does not seem to be real time for slowing down.
Yet, this is exactly the invitation December offers when we choose to see it differently: not as a finish line we must cross with perfection, but as a moment to be present for ourselves.
Intuitive living, much like intuitive eating, isn’t about rules or restrictions. It’s about awareness. It’s about checking in rather than checking out.
So here’s what I am proposing for a gentle practice this month:
Before you say yes, pause.
Before you rush, breathe.
Before you eat, ask: What am I truly needing right now? Hunger, comfort, connection, rest?
Ok, let’s talk about the food you will eat this month. Some meals nourish the body. Some nourish nostalgia. Some connect us to family, memory, culture, and tradition. None of these are wrong. All of them matter. You do not need to earn your holiday meals. You do not need to compensate for cookies with cardio. You do not need to track, measure, restrict, or apologize. Instead, try asking: Does this food bring me joy? Does it satisfy me? Am I eating with presence or pressure?
And let’s talk about your mental health this month. It requires boundaries, not barriers, but gentle guardrails. Rest when you’re tired. Leave when you’re overwhelmed. Say no when something doesn’t align. Offer yourself the grace you so freely give others. And perhaps most importantly: allow the moments of magic, because small ones count lke the soft blanket that rests on my couch. A quiet morning before the days get going. A steaming mug of something you love. The music that makes you smile. These are not extras. These are anchors.
This December, instead of sprinting toward the end of the year, consider walking, slowly, intentionally, and with deep breaths and softer expectations.
You deserve to arrive in the new year not depleted, but grounded.
And if you need guidance with intuitive eating, mindful living, or navigating this season with more compassion and less overwhelm, I’m here.
Reach out anytime, your well-being matters! If you’d like support in deepening this work—connecting food, feelings, and self-trust, I’m available for individual sessions. You can reach me rachel@livehealthynyc.com. Together, we can help you rediscover peace with eating and with yourself.