The Rewire

Hello Beautiful Human,

Have you ever noticed that the thing you’ve been anticipating for weeks can leave you exhausted and ready for it to just be over? Whether it is a holiday, big event, or vacation with the family sometimes it is not what we thought it would be.
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​There is neuroscience to explain why this happens and a way to disrupt this unfortunate cycle.

In part, it has to do with the dopamine of expectations and the unconscious emotional prediction of how you think it is going to go.

Your nervous system is a predicting machine. It predicts what it will feel like to walk up the stairs and helps you physically manage that process. In the same way, your nervous system predicts how you will feel with a house full of family, overly rich food, and a load of social expectations and it preemptively tells you how you are gonna feel.

Whatever your brain suspects you will feel, it will look for evidence to help you feel that way. It prefers to be correct instead of happy.

So if you have a history of being let down or chronically emotionally exhausted by holiday expectations your brain will go about showing you evidence to make it true.

Here’s the magic of knowing that reality, bringing awareness to your experience, and practicing new ways of being – you CAN rewire your nervous system to create a different reality.

Try this 3 Step Process:

1. Name what you are concerned will happen.
2. Make peace with it and find your power in your response.
3. Identify what you want to focus on and how you want to feel regardless of others reactions.

For Example:

1. You may be worried your kid is going to get over stimulated, throw a fit and you will feel embarrassed.
2. You can acknowledge that kids get tired and emotionally exhausted too. You can choose to be willing to support your child and do what your family needs to help you re-regulate your emotional state and be present. Acknowledge there are conflicting desires and expectations (among in-laws, parents, partners and society) and you can’t meet everyone’s needs. That’s ok, it doesn’t make you a bad person.
3. Choose to support your nervous system so you can show up with the best energy that you can. Give grace to yourself and others. Choose to focus on gratitude and take a step away when needed to return to your breath and regroup). Choose to celebrate every time you pause and respond instead of react. Allow yourself to soak up the little delights and be a joy detective, not letting the feared emotional meltdown of others take center stage in your mind.

Holiday and vacation expectations can be hard. Consciously choosing to rewire for a new reality is possible. You’ve got this!!

Creating space for yourself to feel better this season is truly a gift to yourself AND everyone you have the privilege of being in community with.

Finish this year by empowering yourself. Hit reply and write out the 3 step process for whatever you are facing. You are not alone and I’m happy to hold space for you to begin rewiring your nervous system towards empowerment.

Have you scheduled time to do the reflection you want to do to start the year well?

Join me, Sunday January 4th at 2-3pm CST for a Virtual Reflection Session Becoming Your Vision in 2026

I’ve spent over a decade of intentional reflection in the new year – tweaking and testing different approaches. I’ll share the research behind why typical resolutions fail, why behavior changes is so difficult, and the powerful reflection prompts that will transform your year no matter what crazy shit goes down.

Bring your journal and calendar and a cozy beverage. This Sunday afternoon virtual session is a doorway into becoming who you want to be in 2026.

2026 Virtual Reflection Session: Becoming Your Vision

Sunday, January 4, 2026 · 2:00 – 3:00pm Time zone: America/Chicago

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/isk-tfrq-zph

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 754-666-2360‬ PIN: ‪563 457 353‬#

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/isk-tfrq-zph?pin=8386446907226

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See you there!​

Calling all Local Minnesotans!!

2025 has been hard & we all know 2026 will continue to bring challenges and opportunities for conscious individuals to grow in courage, stay focused, and become the version of themselves they desire to be in this moment of history.

Caring for your nervous system with a sound bath, the sauna and cold plunge, or breathing exercise is not a rich person luxury – they are the strategic practices of leaders who want to stay engaged, be well, and participate in creating a positive impact in our world.

Don’t miss out on this wellness opportunity.