EP 258.5: Missing Christmas Magic Because of Your ED? 3 Ways to Choose Presence Over Perfection🎄**Must Listen Fav!**

The holidays are here. And if you're struggling with an eating disorder, you know exactly what that means—anxiety, overwhelm, and missing the magic happening right in front of you because you're stuck in your head, counting, calculating, and controlling.

But what if this year could be different?

In this fan fav, I'm getting real about how the eating disorder literally steals decades of precious moments from your life.

How many Christmases have you missed because you were trapped in those ED thoughts? How many family gatherings have you sat through physically present but mentally a million miles away?

Here's the truth: The present moment is your present. And it's time to stop letting your eating disorder be the Grinch that steals your holiday joy.

I'm sharing a powerful realization I had while standing in line with my boys to see Santa—how they were fully immersed in the magic while everyone else (myself included) was rushing, stressing, and missing it. And it reminded me: recovery happens in the NOW. Not in the past with regrets. Not in the future with anxiety. Right here. Right now.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why the eating disorder wants to pull you out of the present moment (and how to fight back)
• The shocking statistics about anxiety during the holidays (and why being present is actually a recovery tool)
• How 89% of individuals who practice mindfulness during recovery report better outcomes
• 3 practical ways to choose presence over perfection this holiday season
• Why your recovery is the most magical gift you can give yourself
• How to focus on connections over calculations at family gatherings

If you're tired of missing the magic. If you're done letting your ED steal another Christmas. If you're ready to be HERE for the moments that matter—this episode is your holiday recovery guide.

The present is your present, sis. Let's unwrap it together.

KEY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE

💛 "The present is your present. And what I wanted to show up and talk to you about today was how you can be present right now in the magic of the season."

💛 "When you're struggling with an eating disorder, it literally sucks decades, all the good moments from your life. So many moments are missed because you were caught up in those eating disorder thoughts."

💛 "The magic of recovery, just like the magic of Christmas, it happens in the now. It happens in the present. And it happens when we choose to be here, even when it's super, super uncomfortable."

💛 "The eating disorder wants to pull you into the past with regrets or push you into the future with anxiety. But recovery, recovery happens right here, sis. It's right now."

💛 "Connections over calculations. Remember, perfect moments aren't perfectly planned."

💛 "While your eating disorder is trying to steal your holiday joy, she is a true Grinch. You have the power to choose differently."

POWERFUL STATISTICS SHARED IN THIS EPISODE

📊 The average person spends 47% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they're currently doing—and for those in recovery, that percentage can be even higher.

📊 92% of people report higher anxiety during the holidays

📊 73% of those in recovery say they struggle more with being present during celebrations

📊 89% of individuals who practice being in the moment and are mindful during recovery report better outcomes—not only in how they experience the holidays, but in how they supercharge their recovery forward.

The takeaway? Being present isn't just a nice idea. It's not just a Christmas card quote. It's actually a recovery tool.

3 PRACTICAL WAYS TO STAY PRESENT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

1. CREATE A PRESENT ANCHOR

Choose a holiday symbol—a Christmas tree, a star, an ornament, whatever is meaningful to you. When you see it, take three deep breaths (check out my mindful meditation episode for guidance). Use this symbol as a grounding tool to come back to the present moment. We're not going to let our minds tell us the direction we're going. We're going to be intentional about what we give our thoughts and time to.

2. PRACTICE THE GIFT OF PRESENCE

Put your phone away. Seriously. Don't just say you're going to do it—actually do it during family activities. Engage in conversations. Notice what you can see, touch, and hear around you. Get fully immersed.

Example: If you have kids, commit to watching a Christmas movie WITHOUT getting up to do the next thing on your to-do list. Sit there. Be present. Let your mind have space where you're not thinking about the next thing.

3. HONOR YOUR RECOVERY IN THIS MAGICAL MOMENT

Take each meal one bite at a time. Focus on connections over calculations. Remember: perfect moments aren't perfectly planned. The eating disorder will leave you isolated, wanting to avoid conversations—but engage in them anyway. This gives you the gift of presence and lets your mind have space.

THE TRUTH ABOUT HOLIDAY GATHERINGS IN RECOVERY

I shared a personal story from a recent family gathering—the kind that in past years would have sent me into a tailspin. Charcuterie boards, espresso martinis, cookies, brownies, shortbread, banana pudding—all the festive treats.

But my recovered self? I enjoyed every bite of nourishment. And I realized how fast time flies. I questioned myself: Do I live here in all the right now moments? Or am I living back there in how it used to be, or fast forward to what hasn't even arrived yet?

The answer: I want to remember all these moments that I have left. All of them.

And so do you.

IF THE HOLIDAYS TRIGGER YOU

I know that if you're drained, overwhelmed, or the holidays just aren't your thing because of past traumas, the eating disorder, or lost loved ones—I totally get that. But there is still something so magical about this time of year. And it's important to live in these moments.

Yes, it might feel uncomfortable. Yes, it might be challenging. But that's where the transformation actually happens. And not only that—that's how it sticks.

If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. In the transformation is the magic. And personally, there's nothing more magical this time of year than true self-transformation. Because that is giving God all the glory in your life—and that is the purpose of the season.

READY TO MAKE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON DIFFERENT?

If you're tired of missing the magic in your life because you're trapped in those eating disorder thoughts that are eating away at your mind—I want you to take a stand.

💛 Fill out a client application and let's talk about how we can make this season about presence, not perfection.

💛 I'm taking a couple more applications for the new year for personalized coaching and my Freedom Formula experience.

👉 Visit www.herbestself.co to apply

No more missing moments. No more letting the ED steal your holidays. Let's make this season different.

Ready to sign up for our recovery support group? www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 

📧 Email Lindsey: info@lindseynichol.com 
🌐 Apply for Recovery Coaching: www.herbestself.co 
💕 Join the Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com 

Limited spots available for fall coaching - only 2 slots remaining

Connect with Lindsey:

🌟 Website: www.herbestself.co 🌟 Instagram: @thelindseynichol 🌟 Client Application: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms

Love this episode? Here's how you can support the show:

💕 Share it with a woman who might need to hear this message 💕 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts - it helps other women find the show 💕 Screenshot and tag @thelindseynichol if any of these steps help you this week!

Remember, beautiful: Your worth is not measured by how perfectly you do recovery. Healing isn't linear, progress over perfection always, and you are exactly where you need to be right now.

Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol is a podcast for women in eating disorder recovery who are ready to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and diet culture to live authentically and wholeheartedly.

*While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.