Choosing Mindfulness Over Excess: Setting Gentle Boundaries This Season

Living in a capitalistic world, it can feel especially challenging at this time of year to resist the pressure to buy more, do more, and say yes to everything. We’re encouraged to over-spend, over-socialise, and keep pushing ourselves, often without pausing to ask whether it truly feels like what we need.

I’ve been reflecting on this pattern recently and noticing a desire to move differently through this season. I want to respond more mindfully, rather than automatically following habits that no longer feel aligned. For me, this begins with setting boundaries, not as a form of restriction, but as an act of self-care.

Listening to my body feels particularly important right now. When I feel tired, I try to honour that. Saying no to going out when what I really need is quiet time, lighting some candles and staying in or going for a solitary walk without my phone. Of course, it’s lovely to go out and feel the vibrant energy of being around people, and there’s space for that too, but balance feels essential.

Alongside this, I’ve been questioning the expectation to spend excessively at this time of year. There’s often an unspoken belief that celebration must involve buying more, yet I’m discovering how meaningful it can be to step outside of that narrative. This year, my boyfriend and I found discarded Christmas tree branches left outside our local fancy flower shop and turned them into a simple, beautiful Christmas bush. It felt deeply satisfying, a small act of recycling that saved money and reduced waste, while still honouring the season.

Ultimately, this reflection is about choosing something gentler. My message isn’t about doing less for the sake of it, but about setting personal, self-compassionate boundaries and wasting less, with our energy, our time, and our resources. When we slow down and listen inwardly we create space for a more meaningful, sustainable way of living, not just during the holidays, but all year round.

Join me on the mat on Thursdays for Elders yoga & Restore yoga.

Warmly,

Eve