“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” Well, maybe not for you, or not at this moment. I get it. The holidays can be a mix of treasured moments and struggles. Let’s work through that FUNCK and focus on a kind of *presence* that brings true peace this holiday season.
Holiday Journal Prompts to Find Peace & Presence
- When you think about the holidays, what memory comes to mind? Brain Dump this memory and work through the FUNCK.
- What do the feelings of Comfort & Joy bring up for you? Do joyful times feel comforting, or do they seem saddening or threatening? Try the “5 Whys” exercise and work through the FUNCK.
- What are your hopes and worries for the approaching New Year? Use BeMo Extras like “What If’s” (Designated Worry Time) and “Imagined Future” to explore your thoughts.
- Are you feeling overwhelmed by plans, responsibilities, or expectations? Recenter yourself with the “I Get To” practice, grounding yourself in enoughness.
You can find details on each of these BeMo practices in the front of your BeMo Journal or in your BeMo Pocket Guide.
During the holiday season, feelings like happiness, joy, and excitement can be hard to trust. If you’re prone to stressful moments, self-doubt, and internal arguments, don’t pressure yourself into “needing to" feel happy. Instead, create a safe space for feeling comfort in joy.
Yes, you read that right. I’m rewriting the song lyrics to help you find some comfort:
“Be willing to rest, ye merry gentle person…
Let nothing get in the way…
Remember to BeMo about it…
Especially through holidays…”
In all seriousness, I know from first-hand experience how this season can sometimes be a reminder of what we don’t have—the people we miss, the family dynamics we face, or the changes we’re going through or not yet experiencing. It can also be a time when we cherish the warmth and joy of togetherness, only to feel anxious, wondering when it will end.
Maybe you find yourself popping that “holiday bubble” by anticipating disappointment or starting arguments out of fear of losing these moments. Or, perhaps you start with gratitude and joy, only to feel more uneasy as the season progresses. Whatever your reason, this season, let’s work through holiday FUNCK together.
Free Write
Step 1 is always to choose your topic and free-write. Pick one of the journal prompts above, or start with whatever has been occupying your mind. What’s weighing on you? What keeps distracting you from feeling at peace? Write at least one page as a brain dump before moving through the FUNCK portion of your BeMo practice.
What you write doesn't have to be long or short. This is for you. Let your mark ups, mark throughs, and scratch outs be a badge of honor to noticing how you are phrasing things.
To start, here's an example:
The holidays have always been a bit dramatic for me. I don’t want to do it this year. I feel the weight of change—chosen changes, upcoming loss, a different group at the table, and stress about the approaching new year. I don’t want to shop for it or go through the motions. I want to enjoy my treats, stay in my pajamas, and let it be ok.
Let's take this example now and work through the FUNCK.
FUNCK in Action
Below is a real-life example of working through holiday FUNCK. This example comes from a BeMo Journaler who shared their experience in a talking session with me. Here’s how we worked through it together.
For privacy, certain details are vague, but feel free to get specific on your own pages. Some days you might only get through one part of FUNCK, and that’s perfectly fine.
If you want to go deeper and uncover a past storyline linked to this emotional behavior try a “5 Whys” exercise to explore why the feeling of absence is present or an “I Get To” practice to recognize what’s enough in this moment and find joy in the simple things.
BeMo Advice: This “You Note” shows empathy and understanding without turning Needs into a “To Do” list. Feel through the need without stepping into shame or self-blame.
Advancing The BeMo Practice: The BS Checkpoint
If you're working on an Advanced BeMo Renurturing practice - working on inner child work and recognizing the full narrative of complicated storylines throughout your life - this is a great point to reflect on the full story behind the Need you have and to show up for that inner child with a little blurp that recognizes any Belief Systems (BS) at play. This is where you move from feel-and-deal to revealing a harbored truth about your past-to-present experience and recognize the limiting belief at play.
Here is what this BeMo journaler was able to recognize and Renurture:
[Belonging] I can create small moments of joy – setting up cozy spaces, playing holiday music, or organizing simple activities that invite others to join, without feeling like it’s all my responsibility to make everyone happy.
[Care] I can set boundaries for myself – reminding myself that it’s okay to step back if I feel overwhelmed. I can take a break, breathe, or even go for a walk when I need space.
[Care] I can share the holiday tasks – inviting family members to help plan or contribute ideas for holiday activities, meals, or decorations, so the joy and effort are shared.
[Connection] I can be intentional about my presence – focusing on enjoying my family’s company rather than striving to make every moment perfect. I’ll appreciate the little things and savor the genuine connections.
[Belonging] I can acknowledge my inner child – recognizing when old feelings of responsibility come up. I can gently remind myself that it’s okay to let go and be present, knowing I’m no longer responsible for others' emotions as I felt I once was.
[Care] I can focus on one or two meaningful traditions – choosing to engage in what brings me joy, knowing that my happiness can have a positive influence without the pressure of managing everyone else’s experience.
[Connection] I can ask my partner for quiet time and affection – surrounded by our Christmas decorations, to feel nurtured and grounded.
[Care] I can go for a wintery walk with my dog, bake cookies with my daughter, or write about my memories in my BeMo Journal – grounding myself in the activities that bring warmth and connection.
[Connection] I can plan a small surprise outing to enjoy the holiday lights together – embracing a moment of shared joy and spontaneity.
BeMo Extra: I Get To
I get to decorate every room with lights, knowing it brings joy to my daughter.
I get to wear my pajamas while out shopping—embracing comfort!
I get to enjoy holiday treats and know I have the tools to care for myself.
I get to buy gifts for those I love and feel blessed by the people in my life.
I get to support small businesses and share the holidays with others who are doing their best.
Positives
I feel more at peace after working through this. The challenges haven’t vanished, but I have hope and a comforting perspective on the season.
I let myself rest today, skipping errands to understand my needs.
I didn’t beat myself up for indulging in holiday treats.
I decided to wake naturally, without an alarm, and welcomed each day in my own time.
I spent time outside, grounding myself, and feeling connected to the season.
Bringing It All Together
The holiday season can bring a whirlwind of emotions, especially when old patterns and responsibilities resurface. By working through the FUNCK process, you're not only allowing yourself to feel but also to reshape how you engage with the season. Through intentional steps like Brain Dumps, Needs Recognition, and meaningful "Can’s Lists," you’re giving yourself permission to experience the holidays in a way that aligns with your truest needs—whether that’s belonging, care, or connection.
Remember, joy and peace don’t have to be forced; they can be found in small, grounding moments. As you move through this season, let the BeMo practice be a supportive guide. Allow yourself to embrace what feels right and let go of what doesn’t serve you, knowing that each step is a choice toward creating a holiday experience that feels authentic and fulfilling. Here's to a season of true comfort and joy—on your terms.
