It’s the time of year when there’s an abundance of overconsumption - eating sugar, drinking alcohol, and spending money on gifts.

Costco has Christmas decorations out before Labor Day.  Black Friday deals now start as early as October, with Amazon Prime Day starting yesterday.

Your email inbox overflows with all the deals and sales that began this week.

In a few weeks, sugar season starts with Halloween.

No wonder people get to January and go into a state of deprivation with cleanses, diets, detoxes, and dry January.

They have to recover from three months of overconsumption.

I did a group course two years ago with ten women on how to manage perimenopause and menopause.

We discussed how to handle the holidays, which can be a source of extra stress, especially for women.

I was amazed at how many in our group felt obligated to eat food at family holiday gatherings they didn’t want to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.

They exchanged gifts they didn’t want to buy or receive because they couldn’t talk truthfully with family members.  

They talked about how many gifts were donated to charity because they didn’t want them.

They felt resentful of having to prepare lavish meals or be responsible for buying all the gifts for friends and family.

What would a season of moderation look like?  

I’m all for enjoying a glass of champagne or eating a delicious iced sugar cookie.

I recommend having protein and vegetables first and then having dessert or a drink.

You’ll feel better and won’t find yourself drinking the entire bottle or eating a whole plate of desserts.

What if you had an honest conversation about exchanging gifts, and rather than buy another scarf, you planned to go out for a meal or attend a concert or event together?  

Share an experience.  I guarantee you’ll remember it more than the sweater or scarf.

If you’re in charge of preparing a meal, can you ask others to help you?  

A shared Google doc is a fantastic way to coordinate who’s doing what and manage a grocery list.  (This is how my sister-in-law and I keep eight people fed on our family vacations - it works like a charm)

As the holidays approach, how can you have a season that lights you up rather than makes you want to have to go on a food, alcohol, and emotional detox in January?

I created a Holiday Season Blueprint Planner to help you make this a season you enjoy with friends and family.  It's linked below.

Forward it to friends and family to get the conversation started.