As we approach the closing month and weeks of the year, we are often reminded that this is a festive and joyful period. Yet for many, this period brings a quiet melancholy. As the calendar turns, people reflect on what has passed, what was lost, and what remains uncertain. Recognising these feelings is the first step toward compassion—for ourselves and for others.

As the end of year holidays approach, it’s a good time to prepare ourselves mentally and emotionally for what is to come. At first glance, the holidays aren’t usually something we’d normally consider having to prepare for, unless we have a trip planned; and we tend to think this is a period of relaxation and fun. Coupled that with the coming new year, there is a tendency to assume there are things worth celebrating.

Typically, when someone is referred to as a commitment phobe, the general assumption is that they have an irrational fear of being in a committed, long-term relationship. While this can be true, a lot may be lost in that assumption.

Feeling overwhelmed is typically a sign that you have things going on in your life that you feel you have no capacity to properly manage. It’s normal from time to time to feel this way and can even be a signal for you to stop what you’re doing and start taking steps to alleviate yourself of things that may be contributing to you feeling this way.

We have often talked about how happiness is so important to so many of us and in the past, we’ve touched on what it looks like to sabotage our own happiness.