And the great thing is, it's the perfect opportunity to do things differently...

Holidays are often seen as warm, light and harmonious. For many people, however, there is a second layer beneath that cosiness: old patterns, expectations, clashing personalities, small gestures that feel significant. Not because anyone is doing anything wrong, but because family systems can be complicated.

When all those energies come together in one house, it creates a kind of emotional turmoil. You can feel it in your body. In your breath. That subtle feeling of: this is just a little too much. 

Because Aunt Jopie would rather not sit next to Uncle Henk, and Charlotte hardly eats anything, and the little one... is he awake again, and why do we always have to take Maxime's teenagers into account, and Grandpa falls asleep at the table, and people react differently to a gift than expected... Leaving aside for a moment the complexity of a blended family and all the expectations that come with it...

What helps?

1. Remain friendly and clear. You do not need to engage in every attempt to connect. Being polite, calm, and setting boundaries is often just right.

2. Take short breaks
Step outside for a moment. Make a cup of coffee. Take a minute to yourself.
Not to escape, but to regulate. Your system recovers faster than you think.

3. Staying centred
A simple inner sentence acts as a compass:
I stay centred. Kind and free.
It brings you back to yourself, precisely when the hustle and bustle pulls at you.

The festive season does not demand perfection. It demands presence without surrender. Kindness to yourself. And the freedom to choose your own pace. In short, just take good care of yourself. Take a breath and do things differently this year...

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!