How I Enjoy the Holidays Without Spiraling Into “Forget It” Mode
Every year around this time, I start hearing the same thing from women in my life and from clients:
“I’ll just get back on track in January.”
And I get it.
The holidays are busy. Emotional. Loud. Full of food everywhere you turn.
But here is the truth I have learned through my own journey and through coaching others:
It is not the holidays that cause the spiral.
It is the all-or-nothing mindset we bring into them.
This is how I personally move through the holiday season in a way that lets me enjoy it and still feel like myself on the other side.
I change the way I talk to myself about food
I do not label food as “good” or “bad.”
Instead of judgment, I ask myself:
Do I actually want this?
Will I enjoy it?
How do I want to feel later?
That shift alone keeps me from spiraling.
I don’t eat things just because they’re there
The holidays come with an endless supply of food you don’t even like that much.
Office treats. Random desserts. Obligatory drinks.
I remind myself that I can say no to things that don’t bring me real enjoyment so I can fully enjoy the things that do.
I aim to be selective, not restrictive.
I eat foods I enjoy all year long
Eating “perfectly” all year sets you up to lose control during the holidays.
When I allow myself to enjoy foods I love regularly, nothing feels forbidden. And when nothing is forbidden, nothing has power over me.
The holidays stop feeling like a breaking point.
I keep my normal routine most of the time
There are only a few actual holidays in November and December.
Most days are still just normal days.
So I anchor myself in my routine whenever I can:
I prioritize sleep
I stay active
I eat regular meals
I lead with protein
This keeps me grounded and makes the celebratory days feel fun instead of overwhelming.
I don’t put the holidays on a pedestal
I love the holidays.
But I don’t use them as an excuse to abandon myself for two months.
I focus on what actually makes them special: traditions, connection, time with people I love.
Not turning every day into a free-for-all is what allows me to enjoy the moments that truly matter.
What I’ve learned
I don’t need a reset in January because I never completely disconnect in December.
The goal is not control.
It is a calm, confident relationship with food and with myself.
This is exactly how I coach women inside MKH.
Not with rules or extremes, but with accountability, consistency, and self-trust.
If this resonated, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure this out by yourself either.
– Mailoha
