Letting Go of Old Traditions and Embracing New Ones

Letting Go of Old Traditions and Embracing New Ones

The holidays can be a complicated time, especially when life as you know it has been turned upside down. Whether you’re going through a divorce, grieving a loss, or simply facing a big change, the traditions that once felt like comfort can suddenly feel like reminders of what’s missing. And it hurts. The urge to recreate what used to be can be overwhelming, even as it feels impossible.

But here’s what I’ve learned: sometimes letting go of those old traditions can be exactly what your heart needs to start healing. When we loosen our grip on the way things should be, we create space for something new—something that might surprise us with its simplicity and joy.

Years ago, in a moment that could have felt like defeat, I made a choice to do things differently. Instead of trying to force the holiday into something it no longer was, my family and I gave ourselves permission to start fresh. What that looked like was slower, quieter, and far less complicated. There was no pressure to perform or perfect. And in that tiny space of “let’s just do what feels good,”we found warmth, connection, and even laughter.

If you’re staring at this holiday season wondering how you’ll make it through, here’s what I want you to know: you don’t have to carry everything forward.You don’t have to decorate the same, host the same gatherings, or keep traditions that feel heavy when your heart feels raw. You get to choose. Maybe you’ll find joy in creating homemade gifts. Maybe you’ll spend the day in pajamas, watching movies and eating comfort food. Maybe you’ll travel somewhere new or decide that this year, simple is enough.

There is so much freedom in giving yourself permission to do it differently. To step away from the shoulds and ask yourself, What do I actually want?” The answers might surprise you. And over time, as you adjust to your new rhythm, you may find yourself looking forward to these little traditions you’ve created out of love, rather than obligation.

The holidays are not about recreating perfection. They’re about finding moments of connection—whether with yourself, your family, or the quiet peace of the day itself. Let this be the year you allow your heart to rest. Let this be the year you embrace what feels true and good for you now.

And remember this: it’s okay to let go. Sometimes, in the letting go, we stumble into something even better. Something that feels lighter, easier, and just right for this new chapter of life.

Love and Light,

Michele


If you’re navigating a major life transition and aren’t sure where to start, I’m here to help. Let’s work together to uncover what’s possible for you in this new chapter. Schedule a free consultation with me today and take the first step toward creating a life that feels true to you.

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A Holiday Season of Possibility

A Holiday Season of Possibility

The first holiday season after my divorce was like stepping into a snow globe where everything looked perfect from the outside, but inside, I was spinning in a storm of loneliness. That year, I’d wander the streets, peering into shop windows lit with twinkling lights, watching couples laugh over steaming cups of cocoa. I felt like I was on the outside looking in, wondering if this was it—if this hollow ache was my new normal.


It wasn’t.


If you’re there now, sitting in the puddle of sadness that the holidays can bring, let me tell you something: it doesn’t have to stay this way. It feels endless now, I know. But this moment? It’s just a season, not your forever.

What if, instead of seeing this holiday as something to endure, you could see it as a turning point? A quiet pause where you start to plant the seeds for the life you’ve been longing for. Imagine it’s this time next year.

You wake up, and the air feels different—not heavy, but full of promise. You’ve created new traditions, ones that feel like yours and yours alone. Maybe there’s a small tree, decorated with ornaments you chose just for you. Maybe there’s laughter—not forced, but free and full—because you finally feel like yourself again.

Instead of wandering the streets, you find yourself walking with purpose. You’re not looking into the windows anymore; you’re the one inside, sipping a hot drink, smiling at how far you’ve come. The ache has softened, replaced by a quiet strength that says, I made it through. I’m building something new.

That life—this future version of you—isn’t as far away as it feels right now. The key is taking the first step. For me, it was admitting I couldn’t do it alone. I needed help, not just to survive, but to start dreaming again.

The holidays don’t have to be about just getting by. They can be about imagining what’s next, daring to believe that something better is waiting for you.

Remember, every adventure begins with a choice. What will yours be? Will you stay stuck, peering through the glass? Or will you step forward, even if you don’t have all the answers yet?

There’s a life beyond this holiday season. A life where you’re not defined by your past but inspired by the possibilities of your future. Let’s start creating it now. Because this time next year, you could be smiling, not just because of the season, but because you’ve found your way back forward to yourself.

That’s the gift waiting for you. Let’s unwrap it together.

Love and Light,

Michele


If you’re ready, I’m here. Let’s talk.

Together, we’ll make sure the new year feels like a fresh start—not just another year of feeling stuck.

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Self Care Saturday

Self Care Saturday

Deck the Halls 


Throw on some uplifting holiday music while you deck the halls. Whether it’s simply hanging a festive wreath on your front door it’s the whole family heading out to find a tree, add a festive touch to your space today. And if this is your first year alone after a life transition like divorce or loss of a loved one, be especially gentle by reminding yourself, this is just one season, and you will get through it. Love yourself.


Taking care of yourself, both mentally and physically, is crucial as you navigate life transitions. You’re not alone, and there is a path forward, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. If you know someone that could use a little boost of Self Care, please feel free to share this tip with them by hitting the button below.

 

 

 

Letting Love Lead the Holidays: The innocence of childhood.

Letting Love Lead the Holidays: The innocence of childhood.

December has unique energy, doesn’t it? The year is winding down, but there’s a quiet buzz, a sense that something new is just around the corner.


It’s a time for reflection, for asking yourself the big questions.


Am I living the life I want?
Am I truly happy?
And—what if next year could be different?

The truth is, January gets all the attention for fresh starts, but December is where the magic happens. It’s the perfect time to prepare, to lay the groundwork for something better. While others wait for the clock to strike midnight, you can already be on your way to clarity, confidence, and the life you’ve been imagining.

Imagine stepping into the holidays with a sense of purpose instead of worry. Feeling less overwhelmed and more sure of yourself. Knowing you’re not just surviving this season but preparing for the one ahead, a season where you are the priority.

Taking action now means giving yourself the greatest gift of all: a chance to begin before the rush. A chance to face the new year not with dread, but with determination.

The path forward doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right guidance, it can actually feel empowering. That’s where I come in.

If you’re feeling that quiet nudge—that whisper that says, “It’s time”—why not listen? Let’s talk. December doesn’t have to be just another month of waiting. It can be the beginning of something beautiful.

The life you’ve been hoping for is closer than you think. Take the first step. Let’s find it together.

Love and Light,

Michele


December is the perfect time to prepare for the new year.

Give the gift of coaching to yourself or someone you love.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Now

December Decisions: The Season of Change

December Decisions: The Season of Change

December has unique energy, doesn’t it? The year is winding down, but there’s a quiet buzz, a sense that something new is just around the corner.


It’s a time for reflection, for asking yourself the big questions.


Am I living the life I want?
Am I truly happy?
And—what if next year could be different?

The truth is, January gets all the attention for fresh starts, but December is where the magic happens. It’s the perfect time to prepare, to lay the groundwork for something better. While others wait for the clock to strike midnight, you can already be on your way to clarity, confidence, and the life you’ve been imagining.

Imagine stepping into the holidays with a sense of purpose instead of worry. Feeling less overwhelmed and more sure of yourself. Knowing you’re not just surviving this season but preparing for the one ahead, a season where you are the priority.

Taking action now means giving yourself the greatest gift of all: a chance to begin before the rush. A chance to face the new year not with dread, but with determination.

The path forward doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right guidance, it can actually feel empowering. That’s where I come in.

If you’re feeling that quiet nudge—that whisper that says, “It’s time”—why not listen? Let’s talk. December doesn’t have to be just another month of waiting. It can be the beginning of something beautiful.

The life you’ve been hoping for is closer than you think. Take the first step. Let’s find it together.

Love and Light,

Michele


December is the perfect time to prepare for the new year.

Give the gift of coaching to yourself or someone you love.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Now

The Gift of Imperfection

The Gift of Imperfection

The following scenario, or some version of it, typically took place on the first Sunday of December, which usually coincides with the first Sunday of Advent—another big deal in my house which included an Advent wreath assembled that very morning in the Church Hall after Mass.

We all knew what was coming later that day as we braced ourselves for the annual recreation of Doreen’s version of decking the halls Norman Rockwell style (spoiler alert…it never quite turned-out way she envisioned).

With Bing Crosby’s rendition of “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”playing on the console, the big question of the day was “to flock or not to flock.” It may seem trivial to some, but in the Heffron house, there were two camps – green or white? While the rest of us wanted green, Doreen wanted white; and white is what we got. A fully flocked tree where nary a needle could be detected, white lights, and shiny red balls, each skillfully positioned and tied with a red ribbon. There were no hand-made ornaments, strings of popcorn, and absolutely no tinsel to be had! And kids were unauthorized to decorate unless they passed the bow-tying requirements.

Mic (aka Dad) would haul the tree up to our big deck, somehow hook up the old canister vacuum cleaner to a bag of wet white stuff and set the device to blow out air rather than to suck things up. Only my brother was allowed outside when this special ritual was taking place and inevitably, the hose would detach spraying fake snow all over my dad, brother, and the large windows that flanked our deck. It was a mess and I’m sure my Mic’s “Christmas Spirt” could be heard by the neighbors several blocks away.

While all the “White Christmas” frivolity and outdoor light stringing was taking place, my sister and I were in the kitchen helping Doreen with the cookies. My mother had very little patience for the messiness that accompanies cookie decorating so that activity was always quickly halted and replaced by the making of fudge and our famous popcorn balls, a staple Christmas treat in the Heffron household. The crunchy, gooey goodness of perfectly popped popcorn, Karo syrup, sugar, butter, vanilla, and of course, red and green food coloring was truly a highlight of the season, and a tradition that lives on today! A healthy snack for sure!

As if cookies, fudge, and popcorn balls weren’t enough for the day, it was time for pie baking—the nemesis of the season for my mother. Whoever coined the phrase “easy as pie” never met Doreen. There on the counter sat the red and white checkered Betty Crocker cookbook opened to the pie dough page. It looked easy enough, but no, not so much. Pie dough was not Doreen’s forte, often sparking a heated battle between dough and Doreen. I’m not sure, but I seem to recall pieces of pastry dough being flung in frustration across the kitchen hitting whatever stood in its way, once missing its intended target, and startling our little dog, Buffy. It was not pretty and eventually, much to Doreen’s dismay and delight, I took over the task of holiday pie baking.

Now, while all this was going on, my very creative brother, having cleaned up after the vacuum explosion, could be found in a corner of the kitchen quietly concocting rum balls. Yes, 151 proof rum balls! Delicious bite-sized balls of melted chocolate, Vanilla Wafers, more Karo syrup, more sugar, a splash of vanilla, and a lot more rum than the recipe called for. His stealth demeanor quickly turned to giggles, then to hysterical slurred words celebrating his creation. Of course, Doreen wasn’t all so joyful about his escapades, but Mic was right there volunteering to taste-test the high-octane confections. Personally, I thought it all made for a jollier family! One must have a sense of humor!

At the end of the day and thoroughly exhausted, we joined around our dining table anticipating the joyful season ahead. The first candle of the Advent wreath was lit, and we enjoyed a yummy warm family dinner and shared a few laughs about the day. After the dishes were done, we settled by the fire to watch the Carpenter’s Christmas show together.

We weren’t anything like the families depicted in Normal Rockwell’s beautiful illustrations, and no matter how hard Doreen worked to create the illusion of perfection, we were simply us. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder, and looking back, I can see that we were perfect in our own imperfectness. Just the way we were meant to be.

Both Doreen and Mic are no longer with us, but their spirits live on and I’m grateful to have these memories to share with you all.

A reminder that those we love are passing through

and won’t be here forever.

This holiday season, let go of your ideas of perfection and give the gift of your authentic and imperfect self—to those you love (and maybe even the ones you don’t).

Love and Light,

Michele


December is the perfect time to prepare for the new year.

Give the gift of coaching to yourself or someone you love.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Now