Have you ever felt that the holiday season brings as much stress as it does joy? With so many expectations and traditions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, wishing you could enjoy Christmas on your own terms without the pressure. If the thought of holiday preparations makes you anxious, this episode is for you. I’m Dara Thomason, and today, we’re exploring how to create a holiday season that feels meaningful and stress-free.

In this episode, I walk you through how to kick holiday stress to the curb, using powerful insights from neuroscience and personal experiences. Together, we’ll reflect on how to adjust your holiday habits to feel more joy and less pressure. You’ll learn practical tools to help you plan ahead, edit traditions that no longer serve you, and visualize a holiday season that leaves you feeling connected and fulfilled. It’s all about crafting a Christmas that brings peace instead of chaos!

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to reframe your holiday traditions to align with what truly brings you joy
• Ways to set clear emotional goals for Christmas to keep stress at bay
• Simple visualization techniques to prepare for a peaceful and enjoyable holiday

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Resources:

• Emotion Wheel: https://positivepsychology.com/emotion-wheel/
• The Happiness Project: https://gretchenrubin.com/books/the-happiness-project/
• Michael Phelps - The Journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-mZhvxeK_k
• Science of Visualization: https://www.neurovine.ai/blog/the-science-of-visualization-can-imagining-your-goals-make-you-more-likely-to-accomplish-them

Do you ever feel stuck in your weight loss journey, frustrated by those seemingly endless plateaus? Have you reached a point where the scale just won't budge, leaving you questioning if all your efforts are even worth it? This episode is here to remind you that plateaus aren’t a setback—they’re a powerful place to pause, reflect, and build stability in your progress. Whether you're focused on weight loss or any other area in life where you're hitting resistance, it's time to reframe these "stuck" moments as opportunities for growth.

In this episode, I dive deep into the concept of plateaus and why they’re not the enemy many people think they are. Using real stories from my clients and my own experiences, I unpack how these stages of stability are essential for sustainable progress. Together, we’ll look at how weight plateaus mirror other areas in life, like career or personal goals, where we often feel pressured to keep pushing forward without stopping to appreciate the progress we’ve made. I share valuable insights on shifting your perspective around plateaus to recognize them as essential steps in your journey, allowing your body and mind to fully acclimate before moving forward.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to reframe plateaus as moments of stability and growth, not failure
• Why understanding your "why" for weight loss or any goal makes all the difference
• Practical strategies to stay motivated and aligned with your goals without falling into self-sabotage

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Do you use food as a treat or find yourself struggling with the temptation of holiday sweets? Many of us see food as a reward, especially during holidays like Halloween, where treats are abundant. Have you ever asked yourself if there’s a healthier, more fulfilling way to handle these temptations? In this episode of the Quilters Coach Podcast, we’ll talk about navigating holiday temptations and exploring the stories we tell ourselves around food. I’ll guide you through shifting your mindset from seeing food as a treat to finding more lasting, internal satisfaction.

In this episode, I share how we unconsciously reward ourselves with food and what we can do to break this cycle. By understanding our relationships with food—whether it’s for comfort, joy, or escape—you’ll gain a clearer perspective on how to make healthier choices without feeling deprived. I also share a story about my personal journey in creating a healthier relationship with food during Halloween and how you can embrace that shift, too. Plus, we’ll look at how the environment and the stories we tell ourselves play a role in shaping our food habits.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to identify when you’re using food as a reward or comfort.

• Practical tips for navigating Halloween and holiday treats mindfully.

• How to cultivate internal fulfillment without relying on external sources like food.

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Do you often find yourself feeling exhausted at the end of the day but not truly fulfilled? Do you struggle to accept compliments or downplay your own achievements? If you’ve ever felt like you're undervaluing yourself, this episode is for you! We'll explore the common mindset traps that lead us to overlook our own value and how to start shifting those habits today.

In this episode, I’ll share practical tools and real-life examples to help you recognize when you're undervaluing yourself and how to break free from that trend. I dive deep into why we often feel responsible for others' happiness and neglect our own needs, and I’ll guide you through actionable steps to start celebrating your worth. Plus, you’ll learn how to set goals and create an environment that supports your growth—both mentally and emotionally.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to identify if you're undervaluing yourself and why it happens.

• Simple strategies for shifting your mindset to prioritize your own value and happiness.

• The power of consistency and how small changes can create lasting transformation.

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Have you ever felt frustrated with your relationship, wondering why no matter how hard you try, things just don’t seem to improve? Do you often find yourself waiting for your spouse or significant other to make the right moves, only to feel disappointed? In this episode, I share why your happiness and the quality of your relationships are actually within your control—yes, it’s up to you!

In this episode, I dive into how life coaching can transform not just your relationships but also your overall happiness. I’ll guide you through powerful tools and techniques for rethinking your expectations in your marriage or other relationships. From letting go of “shoulds” to rewriting your manual for how others should act, I explain how to stop placing conditions on others and start focusing on what you can control. Whether you’re dealing with relationship struggles or navigating difficult conversations, this episode will give you fresh insights and strategies.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to identify and reframe your relationship “manual” for a happier marriage.
• The importance of taking responsibility for your own happiness.
• Practical tools for having difficult conversations and building better relationships

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Have you ever felt stuck while trying to build your quilting business and wondered if there's a way to overcome the mental and emotional challenges of entrepreneurship? Life coaching might be the missing piece you need. In this episode, we explore how life coaching can help you gain clarity, build confidence, and create a sustainable business model for your quilting venture.

In this episode, I’ll share actionable strategies for building a successful long-arm quilting business, from setting up your studio to pricing your services effectively. You’ll hear real-life success stories of quilters who used both business tools and life coaching techniques to reach their goals. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, life coaching offers valuable insights to help you navigate challenges and achieve business success.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How life coaching can help you overcome mindset barriers and build confidence as a quilting business owner.
• The key steps to set up and grow your quilting business, including marketing and pricing strategies.
• How to balance your passion for quilting with the practicalities of running a successful business.

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Have you ever wondered what life coaching is really about and why it’s becoming such a powerful tool for personal growth? Do you feel like you're stuck in a cycle of striving for success but never quite feeling fulfilled? In this episode, I explore why life coaching is more than just goal-setting—it’s about understanding how your thoughts and emotions shape your reality and learning how to take control of them for lasting change.

In this episode, I break down the essence of life coaching and why it matters for anyone looking to transform their life. Whether it’s weight loss, improving relationships, or growing a business, life coaching helps you stop relying on willpower and start creating sustainable habits. I’ll also share personal stories and client experiences that show how powerful it is to learn how to be happy and fulfilled, no matter where you are on your journey. Together, we’ll explore how coaching gives you the clarity and tools to change your mindset and, ultimately, your life.

What you will learn in this episode:

• The role of life coaching in helping you find clarity and happiness in your current circumstances.
• Why it’s crucial to rewire your brain for success rather than rely on willpower alone.
• How life coaching helps you connect your thoughts and emotions to create lasting change.

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Do you ever doubt your ability to achieve the results you want or struggle to trust yourself when setting goals? If you’ve ever felt stuck or uncertain about how to prioritize your time and energy, this episode is for you. As we dive into tools and strategies that will help you take control and truly start living an authentic life, I’ll guide you through ways to guarantee your success without the stress or overwhelm.

In this episode, I share personal stories and insights on how life coaching principles can help you create permanent changes in your life. Whether it's feeling more relaxed, building better relationships, or breaking old habits, you’ll discover how organizing your time into three categories—necessary, essential, and nice-to-do—can lead to more balance and fulfillment. I also share a heartfelt story of how a member found deeper connection in her marriage by applying some of these tools.

What you will learn in this episode:

• How to organize your time into three key categories for more balance
• Why your worth as a person is already 100%, and how to embrace that
• Practical steps to take control of your life and guarantee your results

Grab this week's episode workheet HERE.
Watch this episode on Youtube.
Checkout other Episodes HERE.

Other Resources:

Choose Ye This Day to Serve the Lord