With Christmas so close, I notice the familiar drive kicking in — the push to make everything perfect. I am good at details, at design, at creating experiences that feel polished and magical. I have the ambition, the skill, and the drive to pull it all off: the gifts perfectly wrapped, the table beautifully set, the holiday card cheery.

And yet, something feels different. My shoulders are tight, my mind is racing, and underneath it all, my nervous system is screaming: slow down.

For the first time, I realize my natural abilities — my ambition, my skill, my eye for detail — are clashing with what my body actually needs.

It is hard to distinguish between “this is who I am” and “this is too much.” My mind moves at full speed, organizing and perfecting, while my body signals tension, overwhelm, and a quiet plea for presence.

I recognize the pattern I often see in mothers — the assumed conditioning that we should have it all together, orchestrating a flawless holiday, keeping everyone happy, and somehow appearing calm and composed while doing it.

Yes, my drive, ambition, and skill are gifts, but in this moment, they override my nervous system’s wisdom.

So I stop. I literally put the ribbons down, sit quietly, and notice my breath.

My mind immediately questions the pause, asking, what about all the things left to do? And then, softly, I whisper to myself: “This is enough.”

It isn’t glamorous. There is no adrenaline rush, no external applause, no feeling of “winning.” Just quiet steadiness, subtle and a presence that my nervous system hasn’t felt in a long time.

At first, it resists, wondering what has happened to the “old me.” But as I stay grounded, I begin to feel it: this is safety, not loss. This is alignment, not failure.

This is enough.

Recognizing Over-Functioning

Over-functioning often feels normal — especially for women conditioned to “do it all.” We over-give, over-plan, over-achieve, and over-control without realizing our nervous system is silently begging for relief. Signs you might be over-functioning include:

• Physical tension or restlessness

• Racing thoughts, endless lists, or mental overdrive

• Irritability, anxiety, or guilt when things aren’t perfect

• Compulsive action — fixing what isn’t broken or over-preparing

• Feeling disconnected from your body or emotions

Take a moment to ask yourself: am I acting from my body’s wisdom, or am I responding to old conditioning and external expectations? Becoming aware of these patterns is the first step toward reclaiming your alignment.

Nervous System Signals vs. Unfamiliar Downtime

It is not always easy to tell the difference between your nervous system signaling stress and simply feeling strange in downtime. If rest is unfamiliar, your mind may overcompensate with racing thoughts, guilt, or discomfort.

• Nervous system alert: tension, contraction, or anxiety — a call to slow down, regulate, and realign. Responding brings relief and clarity.

• Downtime discomfort: neutral rest that feels uncomfortable only because your mind isn’t used to pausing.

Practice curiosity rather than judgment. Sit quietly for five minutes and notice your body and your thoughts. Are you tense, anxious, or restless? Your nervous system may be signaling you need grounding. Or are you just feeling unfamiliar stillness? With consistent practice, your system learns that rest is safe, not a loss of productivity or purpose.

Saying “Enough”

Saying “enough” is simple but radical. It interrupts the overdrive and gives your nervous system permission to settle. It doesn’t erase your drive, ambition, or skill — it simply aligns them with your body’s wisdom. “Enough” is a reminder that you don’t have to earn safety, value, or recognition through endless action. It is a pause that allows you to feel fully present and grounded in your own power.

Practice:

1. Pause and check in — notice tension or contraction.

2. Whisper: “This is enough.”

3. Observe how your body responds — it may resist at first, then soften.

4. Celebrate the quiet victory of alignment over perfectionism.

Journaling Prompts

• Where in my body do I notice tension or overdrive?

• Which tasks am I pushing through out of habit, expectation, or desire to be perfect?

• When I pause, am I responding to nervous system signals or just discomfort in stillness?

• How does it feel to say, “this is enough” right now?

• What small rituals or moments of grounding can I practice to remind myself that I am enough?

Step Into Your Power

If this resonates, I want to invite you to go deeper with my mini-course: “Own Your Life.” It is designed to give you a taste of my larger program and help women reclaim their self-power, reconnect with their self-worth, and step fully into becoming their favorite self — without buying into the conditioning that we must have it all together, especially as mothers.

The next cohort begins January 1, and this mini-course is the perfect way to start practicing that radical “enough.”

Your next step: claim the version of yourself that feels steady, empowered, and unapologetically YOU. Click here to join the mini-course and start loving the life you’re living — and yourself — in the process.