Nancy: The relationship you have with yourself is the longest one you’ll ever have. By nurturing it, especially during the holidays, you build resilience and inner peace.
Nancy: Welcome to the Nancy Levin Show. I’m Nancy Levin, founder of Levin Life Coach Academy, best-selling author, master coach, and your host. I help overachieving people pleasers set boundaries that stick and own self-worth, anchored in empowered action, so you can feel free. Plus, if you’re an aspiring or current coach, you are in the right place.
Join me each week for coaching and compelling conversations designed to support you in the spotlight as you take center stage of your own life.
Let’s dive in.
Nancy: Welcome back to another episode of the Nancy Levin Show. Today, we are going to talk about something poignant this time of year. That is the balance between solitude and connection. So as we enter the holiday season, it’s so easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of activities, family gatherings, work parties, and shopping trips.
While the season is often associated with joy, it can also often bring stress, overwhelm, and feelings of disconnection. Today I want to talk about the importance of carving out alone time during the holidays for you to nurture your own mental health and well-being. Let’s be honest, for many, the holidays can feel forced or like a performance.
We’re expected to show up with a smile, attend every event, and maintain a cheerful demeanor, even when we’re running on empty. Here’s the truth, constantly giving without replenishing your own energy is going to lead to burnout and resentment. That’s not what we want the holidays to be about.
So let’s look at a reframe. What if instead of pushing ourselves to meet every external expectation, we made space to actually listen to our own inner needs. This is where the concept of intentional solitude comes in. Taking time for yourself isn’t about avoiding others or shirking responsibilities.
It is about creating a sacred pause to recharge and reconnect with who you are at your core. When you prioritize alone time you give yourself the opportunity to respect. This can look like a walk in nature, a quiet moment with your journal, sitting, a cup of tea or coffee, these small acts of self-care can help you ground yourself amidst the chaos so that you can return to what truly matters for you.
Genuine connection begins with being connected to yourself. If you’re constantly feeling like you’re giving to others from an empty cup, the quality of your interactions will suffer. In order to be able to give generously, we need to make sure that you are first well-resourced. So when you take time to nurture your own well being, you can show up more authentically and wholeheartedly.
Research supports this, studies have shown that solitude can enhance creativity, improve focus, and boost overall well-being. It’s a chance to step away from external noise and tune into your own thoughts and emotions. For those of us who identify as people pleasers and overachievers, this can be particularly transformative. It’s a reminder that your value is not tied to how much you do for others, but who you are when you are fully present and aligned with your truth.
Let’s look at some practical ways you can start integrating alone time into your holiday routine.
First, schedule it just as you would a holiday dinner, block off time in your calendar for yourself. Treat it as a non-negotiable. Treat it as the most sacred appointment.
The second way is to communicate your needs. Let your loved ones know that taking this time for you is important for your well-being, for your mental health. You can frame it as a way to be even more present and engaged for when you are together.
Third is to create a ritual. It could be as simple as lighting a candle, setting a timer to meditate, or drawing a bath. Find a ritual that signals to your mind and body that this is your time to unwind.
The fourth is to set boundaries, to say no when you want to say no, say no to activities that are going to drain you or that feel out of alignment. Every no to others is a yes to you. Remember this.
The fifth is to reflect and reconnect. Use this time to reflect on the year, to set intentions for the season, or to simply reconnect with what fills you with joy.
One of the most profound shifts you can make this holiday season is to honor your need for both solitude and connection. Remember that solitude is not a luxury, it is a necessity. When you give yourself permission to step back, even for just a little while, you create space for clarity, peace, and a deeper sense of purpose. The relationship you have with yourself is the longest one you’ll ever have. By nurturing it, especially during the holidays, you build resilience and inner peace.
This holiday season, give yourself the gift of solitude. Embrace the stillness, listen to your inner voice, allow yourself to simply be, and in doing so, you’ll find that you’re better equipped to navigate the holidays with grace and presence.
Thank you so much for being here today. I truly hope that you will intentionally create moments of solitude and self-connection throughout the season.
Taking care of yourself is the most generous gift you can give to you and to everyone else around. Until next time, take good care of yourself, and I wish you a happy holiday.
Nancy: Thanks so much for joining me today. I invite you to head on over to nancylevin.com to check out all the goodies I have there for you. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating, and a review. I’ll meet you back here next week.