As the holiday season draws to a close and we settle into the new year, it’s the perfect time for reflection. For many of us, the holiday season can be a whirlwind of mixed emotions, and I’ve certainly been no stranger to holiday anxiety. However, through these experiences, I’ve gained valuable insights that I’d like to share with you as we transition into the post-holiday phase.
Acknowledging Overwhelm
First and foremost, it’s crucial to recognize that feeling overwhelmed during the holidays is entirely normal. My journey, which includes navigating the pressures of executive leadership and pastoring, has taught me that acknowledging your emotions is the initial step towards managing them effectively.
The Power of Simplicity
Simplicity and clarity are concepts I often emphasize in my coaching, and they’re equally applicable to our personal lives. As we emerge from the holiday season, remember to keep things simple. Avoid overcommitting yourself and focus on what genuinely matters to you and your loved ones.
Discovering Stability Amidst Chaos
Life’s challenges have underscored the importance of maintaining stability, especially when faced with adversity. This approach has served as my anchor, enabling me to stay grounded even in the midst of chaos. Remember, finding inner stability can be a potent weapon against anxiety.
A Lifelong Journey of Learning
I’ve always cherished the qualities of curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. Understanding your anxiety, identifying its triggers, and discovering coping mechanisms can be profoundly empowering. Approach it as an ongoing learning experience – it has the potential to transform how you perceive and manage anxiety.
The Strength in Support and Collaboration
Support and collaboration stand as powerful allies in the battle against holiday anxiety. Don’t hesitate to open up about your feelings with friends or family. You’ll likely find that many people share similar experiences, and there’s immense comfort in knowing you’re not alone on this journey.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Perhaps the most fulfilling aspect of my personal journey has been leveraging my experiences to assist others. By sharing your strategies and being a source of support for those around you, you can transform your challenges into opportunities to uplift and inspire.
As we bid adieu to the holiday season, let’s embrace both its joys and challenges. Managing anxiety is a journey, one that can be taken one step at a time. Let’s utilize this time to grow, learn, and foster support within our communities.
Here’s to a New Year filled with inner peace, joy, and meaningful connections.
Warm regards, Michael
P.S. To the Heritage Club Readers, I am so honored that you have tuned in and engaged with this content. I am thrilled to announce that I will be joining you at the Peer Group in Chicago in February. During this gathering, I’ll be sharing some of my experiences and insights on dealing with difficult people. I look forward to meeting you in person!
Special Partnership

I wanted to take a moment to thank one of our new strategic partners, Heritage Clubs International. Heritage Clubs International, the foremost bank marketing organization in North America, provides education, networking, and innovative travel resources for its members to become the most knowledgeable and successful professionals in their field.
We have extended additional resources to partner with HCI in their mission of empowering great leaders. I am excited to be a featured contributor to their content and look forward to being a part of Peer Group 2024 in Chicago, IL!
As an added bonus, all HCI participating members qualify for 15% off of all executive coaching, team development, workshops, and keynote services provided by Michael King and Teams.Coach.
Please use this special link here to book a free discovery call.