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In this episode, I talk about the societal pressure to make vast changes in work, body image, and parenting as a new year begins. I emphasize the importance of self-compassion and being realistic instead of pushing oneself to perfection. I also introduce the distinction between values and goals, explaining that goals should be driven by one's values for sustainability and long-term adherence. We address the frustrations of unrealistic New Year's expectations and the harm of 'shaming and blaming'. My episode ends with a message of self-acceptance and a note of gratitude.

In this episode, I discuss the gamut of emotions that the festive period can trigger, especially for those with traumatic histories or those who are living in non-traditional family setups. I also provide reassurance and practical advice for anyone feeling alone, including professional resources such as the Samaritans hotline. A key focus is on the importance of self-compassion and the acceptance of imperfections during the holiday season. Towards the end of the episode, I gift you a few things to help you through the festive period.

In the previous episodes I have talked about festive perfectionism and festive burnout – basically from doing all the things, and trying to do them perfectly.  This week, I want to continue the theme by thinking about comparison culture at Christmas. If you feel upset after you’ve seen other people’s pretty Christmas photos, with their kids in matching pyjamas and being all smiles in front of the tree, whilst your kids are murdering each other in the background in your own house, and you draw a deep sigh about the chaos, then this is for you.  I’ll keep it brief, as I know you have a lot on in December. My operations manager and I were reflecting on that over text message this week, with her saying ‘December is a joke’ and me replying ‘December is a joke that isn’t funny’.  I’ve connected with several people through my act of rebellion against a gingerbread house in a recent Instagram reel – yes, I gave it the finger. No, I’m not a Grinch. Go check it out, for the lolz, as the kids say.  The overwhelm is REAL. I’ve noticed that part of that overwhelm and perfectionistic pressure around the holidays is also linked to comparison culture. I was recently interviewed about perfectionism in the Christmas dossier for Psychologies magazine, so you can check that out too for more inspiration around how to let go of perfectionism at Christmas.    Links:  Connect with me on Instagram to see the flippant gingerbread house: www.instagram.com/the_thomas_connection    Put your name down on this link to be the first to know about the ADHD membership: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhd    Link for advert: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright info@thethomasconnection.co.uk to ask Michaela about Burn Bright.

Do you feel the pressure to have a 'perfect' Christmas? In this episode, I discuss the concept of festive perfectionism. This refers to the pressure people put on themselves to achieve a perfect holiday period with perfect crafts, baking, decorations, and activities.  I share tips on how to let go of this pressure and embrace imperfections to find joy and connection in the holidays. Plus I encourage listeners to evaluate what really serves them during the holiday season and to allow themselves to not do everything perfectly.   00:00 Introduction to Festive Perfectionism 01:33 Observations on the Rise of Festive Perfectionism 03:30 Areas of Festive Perfectionism 04:11 Crafts: Embracing Imperfections 05:53 Baking: Tolerating Mess and Imperfection 07:39 Decorating the Tree: Letting Go of Symmetry 08:46 Activities and Days Out: Avoiding Overstretching 09:30 Conclusion: Choosing What to Perfect To calm the overwhelm you might feel right now, download this free worksheet, Calm the Overwhelm: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/calm 

The festive season is a period often riddled with people-pleasing pressures - no wonder you might feel close to burnout.  So, today we're unpacking strategies for maintaining your well-being, amidst the hustle and bustle of holiday commitments.  If you're feeling overwhelmed with the endless to-dos and social expectations that come with this time of year, this episode is for you.  We'll explore how to set boundaries, prioritize self-care, and say 'no' when needed, ensuring you enjoy the festivities without sacrificing your peace of mind.  Get ready to learn how to navigate the season with joy and balance.   Here are the highlights:  (1:25) Prioritizing self-care during the holiday season (3:20) Managing workload and setting boundaries (7:17) Taking time for yourself this Christmas (9:21) Managing holiday stress and perfectionism  Find out more: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright info@thethomasconnection.co.uk to ask Michaela about Burn Bright.   Download this free PDF on how to calm the overwhelm - www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/calm 

Today, we’re delving into the importance of self-care, especially when you're not feeling your best.  In this episode, we're exploring how to balance your needs with your daily demands. I’m offering practical advice on giving yourself permission to rest and recover.  Whether it's a common cold or a more pressing health issue, we must listen to our bodies and adjust our activities accordingly.  So, get ready to learn how to care for yourself in a way that respects your body and your busy schedule.   Here are the highlights: (1:14) Self-care and prioritizing physical health (5:32) Managing physical health conditions while maintaining ambition (9:02) Self-care during illness (13:16) Self-care and permission to prioritize needs   Find out more: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright info@thethomasconnection.co.uk to ask Michaela about Burn Bright.

Welcome to this episode where humour, resilience, and the rollercoaster of motherhood take centre stage.  Today, we're thrilled to have the incredibly talented Emily-Jane Clark, a comedy TV writer and author, whose witty perspective on life's ups and downs is both refreshing and relatable.  Emily's journey through postnatal depression, anxiety, and OCD, coupled with her unique approach to tackling these challenges through humour, offers not only laughter but a deep sense of connection.  In this episode, we delve into how humour can be a powerful tool in dealing with life's complexities. Get ready for a blend of heartwarming insights and laughter-inducing moments!   Here are the highlights: (3:19) Writing, motherhood, and mental health (11:28) Societal pressure and insecurity in motherhood (19:59) OCD habits and their impact on anxiety (22:46) Using humour to cope with dark topics (29:17) Managing OCD and anxiety with personal insights (39:20) Writing children's books with humour and purpose (42:02) Coping with motherhood and mental health Emily's website: https://www.emilyjaneclark.com/     Find out more: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright info@thethomasconnection.co.uk to ask Michaela about Burn Bright.

“Good enough” is not a curse word.   “Good enough” is not a sign of failure.  “Good enough” is workable.  “Good enough” will set you free.  In today’s episode, we’re reflecting on how much time we’ve wasted on things that don't really matter. All because we didn't allow ourselves permission to do things just “good enough”.  Join me today as we discuss how “good enough” will save you time, energy, and potentially money. Here are the highlights: (1:41) Imperfections and self-compassion (6:28) Avoiding burnout for female entrepreneurs (9:20) Embracing imperfection during the holidays (13:55) Letting go of perfection and embracing “good enough”   Find out more: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright info@thethomasconnection.co.uk to ask Michaela about Burn Bright.

When thinking about your capacity, consider looking at your energy levels as a battery.  This is all about energy management. You don’t want to be running on empty.  You want to be at capacity, doing all the things that matter most to you.  This is especially important if you feel overwhelmed or rundown.  So, join me as we discuss what drains your battery and energy.    Here are the highlights: (1:58) Energy management for busy people (6:20) Burnout prevention for ambitious women (8:02) Managing energy and self-compassion (12:14) Setting clear boundaries Find out more: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright info@thethomasconnection.co.uk to ask Michaela about Burn Bright.

Women come to me saying they have no energy.  We have demands on our time, pressures on our capacity, drains on our energy and expectations on our performance.  No wonder we feel frantic and overwhelmed when we juggle that much.  That's why I don’t do morning routines. But there are things we can do instead. So, join me as we discuss energy, nervous system activation, and how to soften rigid rules into something more manageable.    Here are the highlights: (1:42) Managing energy levels in ADHD (5:26) Avoiding burnout for female entrepreneurs (6:57) Flexible self-care options (9:59) Morning routines and self-care  Find out more: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright info@thethomasconnection.co.uk to ask Michaela about Burn Bright.