Mindfulness Through the Holidays

The holidays used to feel overwhelming for me. I carried old guilt, old patterns, and old expectations into every room I walked into. But over time I’ve learned that mindfulness isn’t just about breathing exercises or slowing down. For me, mindfulness begins with forgiveness. If I’m holding resentments toward myself or others, I’m not in the moment. And if I’m not in the moment, I’m giving away my power.

Reflect: Is there someone you need to forgive this season so you can return to the present moment?

Forgiveness is the doorway back to presence. Around the holidays we’re surrounded by people who may have played a role in our past pain. We’re also surrounded by memories of who we used to be. That can stir things up quickly. But I’ve learned that there are no justified resentments. If I choose to carry them, I’m the one who suffers. When I choose to forgive, I return to the moment. And the moment is where my peace lives.

Reflect: What resentment are you still carrying that keeps you from being fully here right now?

Mindfulness also reminds me that I can only control myself. There was a time when I tried to control people, situations, conversations, even outcomes. I thought if I controlled everything on the outside, I could manage what I felt on the inside. But the holidays taught me something different. When I release control, I actually gain freedom. I become more connected, more peaceful, and more available to the people I love. Instead of wasting time trying to manage what I cannot control, I get to enjoy the experience of simply being with them.

Reflect: Where are you trying to control something or someone this holiday season, and what would happen if you let go?

Another part of mindfulness is understanding the old associations I used to have with alcohol and drugs.

I don’t believe in triggers or cravings in the way many people talk about them. To me, those are just familiar associations my mind once built. When my relationship with substances changed, those associations changed. When they come into my awareness now, I see them clearly for what they are. Mindfulness allows me to meet them with presence instead of fear.

Reflect: What old associations still show up for you, and how can you meet them with awareness instead of judgment?

And presence requires practice.

I stay mindful when I do my mirror work. I stay mindful when I read and reflect. I stay mindful by paying attention to how I talk to myself and what I allow into my conscious mind. These small, consistent practices keep me grounded in who I am today, not who I used to be.

Reflect: What daily practice helps you stay connected to your present self? Are you committed to doing it?

As I move through this holiday season, mindfulness allows me to show up with peace and freedom. It helps me experience the people I care about instead of hiding from old demons or old versions of myself. It lets me celebrate love, connection, and the transformation I’ve worked so hard for.

Reflect: How do you want to show up for yourself and the people you love during the holidays?

Mindfulness is how I stay in the moment. And the moment is where everything real lives.

In Presence,

Mike