Mindset Moments
The Art of Not Getting Swept Away This December
December is a month full of glittering temptation. Everywhere you go, something is trying to lure you in:
“Buy it now - 60% OFF!”
“Your house is incomplete without this singing gravy boat!”
“Everyone is doing it...come on, come out for drinks, it’s Christmas!”
“Look! A product that slices, dices...AND makes you look younger!”
"You've failed if your house doesn't look this tidy, staged and beige by the end of the year!"
"Eat as much as you like and look wafer thin with this suck-it-all in, acrylic nail breaking body suit!"
Whether it’s Black Friday, Temu trends, Pinterest Boards, Instagram carousels or inbox offers, the pressure to be social, or the “last chance to lock-in 2025 prices!” frenzy…
December sure can feel like one long game of emotional Jenga.
But here’s what I’ve noticed...in myself and in my clients:
Most December decisions are driven by pressure, not preference.
Pressure to spend.
Pressure to say yes.
Pressure to be fun/happy/social/together.
Pressure to keep up with what everyone else is doing.
Pressure to be bloody perfect.
Pressure to all of the above...RGHT THIS SECOND!
And by January?
We’re left with shite that we don't know what to do with, exhaustion and at least one very confused parcel from China containing… a unicorn-shaped vegetable peeler that looks more erotic than practical and an LED face smoother that doesn't even charge.
So let’s talk about something powerful this month:
How to Resist the End-of-Year Pressure (Without Becoming a Hermit or Scrooge)
This isn’t about opting out of joy or fun and hiding indoors until January.
It’s about staying awake and choosing what you actually want, not what December convinces you to want.
It's about opting out of autopilot.
It's about noticing the moment before you (and trust me...I've done them all!):
tap 'add to basket',
say yes to a drink you don’t want,
book something out of guilt,
sign up for a course because it’s “now or never!”
actually believe the gazillion 5-star reviews
…and choosing what YOU actually want.
Here are three practical mindset tools to help you stay centred, calm and wildly sane.
The 10-Second Temptation Pause
Before you buy / RSVP / commit / click the link, try this...
Pause. Breathe. Ask yourself:
"Do I genuinely want this? Do I really need this? Or, do I just want the feeling of not missing out?"
If the urge feels frantic, urgent or slightly manic, that's not desire. That's dopamine dressed in tinsel.
Nine times out of ten, your brain just needs a moment to catch up. A tiny pause is often all you need to see clearly again.
And honestly, if after the pause you really do need and want the singing gravy boat...knock yourself out!
The Future You Filter
Future you is wise, calm and capable. Not stressed. Not trying to justify impulse buys whilst fuelled by seasonal sugar or panic.
Ask yourself:
"Will future me thank me for this?"
Future you knows:
~ which plans will energise you~ which purchases will actually get used
~ which people you want to spend time with
~ and how much bandwidth you really have
If Future You is rolling their eyes?
It’s a no.
If they smile?
You’re onto something good.
This one simple question can save you from an alarming number of regret-shaped objects. Your future self is your own internal life coach...use them!The 'Is This Mine?' Question
This is the most powerful tool of the season. Before responding to any pull, pressure or invitation, ask yourself:
“Is this mine?”
Is this want / pressure/ urge / expectation mine, or have I been conditioned into it by:~ marketing
~ social media / norms
~ other people’s excitement or latest craze
~ family patterns or expectations
~ old beliefs that no longer serve you well
~ society’s obsession with perfection
~ capitalism in a Santa suit?
If it's not yours, you don’t have to carry it.
You can step out of the script and choose your own December.This is what alignment actually looks like...tiny decisions that honour your energy, time and values.
The Takeaway
You don’t have to sprint through December.
You don’t have to shop your way to worthiness.
You don’t have to be everywhere or everything.
You get to slow down.
You get to choose.
You get to opt out without guilt.
You get to curate a month that feels like yours.
Because the truth is:
You’re not here to keep up.
You’re here to be connected...to yourself, your joy, your values.
And that’s the best gift you can take into a new year.
“The greatest step toward a life of simplicity is to learn to let go.” – Steve Maraboli
...and a little one from me..."You don't have to be the person every marketer hopes you are." 😉
If you’re feeling the seasonal pressure, the noise, the temptation, or the overwhelm...let’s talk.
Why not book a FREE coaching intro call with me and create a December that feels calm, clear and intentionally yours?
Hi I'm Zoë Schofield
Your dedicated Career, Life & Personal Development Coach.
Clarity + Courage for Crossroad Moments
I help people navigate career crossroads, life transitions and everything in between... through curiosity, clarity, confidence and perhaps a little humour too along the way!
I've been where you are; successful on paper but unsure what's next, perhaps pulled in too many directions and craving something more aligned. My coaching is practical, human and gently challenging. No pressure to have it all figured out, just real support to help you reconnect with what matters and take action from there.
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