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The Holidays and the growth Mindset Tools to Shift Your Perspective

 

Hello again, friends,

In my last post, I shared my journey from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset—and how the holidays, for me, were both a trigger and a teacher. Today, I want to give you practical tools to help you make that same shift, even when the season feels heavy. These tools are simple, but they require patience and practice.

1. Awareness & Reflection

The first step in creating change is noticing where a fixed mindset shows up. Are you thinking, “I’ll never get this right” or “This is just how I am”? Awareness is powerful. Try journaling these reflections:

•        What holiday situations trigger stress, sadness, or resentment?

•        How do you respond in these moments?

•        Are your reactions helping you—or keeping you stuck?

Simply writing your thoughts down gives you a mirror into patterns you might not realize you’re following.

2. Reframe Your Thoughts

Once you notice fixed mindset thoughts, you can begin to reframe them. For example:

•        Instead of “I always ruin the holidays,” try “I can try something new this year, and it doesn’t have to be perfect.”

•        Instead of “I can’t enjoy this without them,” try “I can honor their memory while creating joy in my own way.”

Even small shifts in language can lighten the emotional load and open the door for growth.

3. Take Small, Manageable Steps

Growth doesn’t happen in giant leaps—it happens in tiny, intentional steps. Pick one small action that brings you joy this season:

•        Baking a favorite treat.

•        Lighting candles or decorating your space.

•        Reaching out to a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.

•        Volunteering for a cause you care about.

Each small step creates momentum. Over time, those little sparks grow into a brighter holiday experience.

4. Practice Gratitude & Mindfulness

When your mind drifts to the “what’s missing” or “what went wrong,” pause and notice what is present. Gratitude doesn’t erase sadness—it gives it balance. Try:

•        Writing down three small things you’re grateful for each day.

•        Spending five minutes noticing the sights, sounds, and scents of the season.

•        Reflecting on a memory that brings a smile.

Mindfulness helps break the autopilot cycle of a fixed mindset and brings you back to the moment—where growth lives.

5. Build Your Support System

You don’t have to go it alone. Growth thrives with connection. Share your goals with someone you trust—a friend, family member, or coach. Let them celebrate your small wins with you and hold space when the holiday season feels heavy.

Closing Thoughts

The holidays will never be perfect—and that’s okay. Growth isn’t about perfection; it’s about taking small, intentional steps toward joy, awareness, and resilience.

Try one of these tools today. Notice how it shifts your mood, even slightly. Over time, those shifts accumulate, helping you reclaim the holiday season for yourself—one spark at a time.

Remember: growth is a journey, and you are allowed to take it one mindful step at a time.