A short and sweet check-in on slowing down, protecting your bandwidth, and savoring the holiday week instead of letting it blur.

In this episode, I’m sharing a few small, meaningful ways I’m protecting my energy and sanity during the holiday week — in case it inspires you to do the same.

This is about slowing down enough to actually feel this season and not miss the joy because you’re on auto-pilot.

If the holidays feel a little overwhelming, this is your chance to choose your own version of ease.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Small, sensory rituals that make the holidays feel more meaningful

• What I noticed when gift-giving crossed into overstimulation

• How protecting your bandwidth can help you feel calmer and more present

• Asking yourself how you want to feel this holiday week — and honoring that

Coming Up

Next week, I’m sharing some of my favorite end-of-year reflection prompts to help you celebrate how far you’ve come and set intentions for an aligned year ahead. Make sure you are following the show so you don't miss this episode!

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Introduction

01:37 My Small Traditions for Savoring the Season

05:07 Simplifying Gift Giving

07:06 Mini Digital Detoxes for More Presence

09:38 Questions to Ask Yourself

I want to hear from you. Send me a text!

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✨Get my favorite End of Year Journal Prompts and plan for an aligned AF 2026!

For more midlife musings: @midlifeadvicepodcast | @belongwellness
Check out my website: belongwellness.com

If midlife has you thinking, “Why don’t I feel like myself anymore?”—this episode is for you.

After 50 episodes of interviewing doctors, coaches, healers, and badass midlife women (plus sharing plenty of my own solo reflections), I’ve noticed the same themes rise to the surface again and again. Today, I’m pulling together the most important lessons from the first 50 episodes to help you feel less alone, more informed, and way more empowered in this chapter of life.

We cover:

✔️Why perimenopause feels so confusing and isolating

✔️The many ways women are managing symptoms (hormone therapy, Ayurvedic practices, pelvic floor PT, Reiki, microdosing, nutrition shifts, fitness, and more)

✔️The unbelievable strength and resilience midlife women show through illness, divorce, career upheaval, and identity shifts

✔️How reinvention becomes possible—sometimes even necessary—after 40

✔️Why “feeling like yourself again” is absolutely possible

I also share what’s coming to the podcast in 2026, including metabolism myths, planning an aligned year using your Enneagram type, midlife marriage support, puberty talks with your kids, and inspiring reinvention stories you won’t want to miss.

If you haven’t yet, hit Follow so you never miss an episode!

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Themes

01:35 Theme: Perimenopause is a B*tch

03:29 Theme: So Many Options to Feeling Like Yourself Again

07:50 Theme: Midlife Women are F*cking Strong & Resilient

10:52 Theme: Midlife Career Evolution & Reinvention

15:04 What's Coming in 2026

I want to hear from you. Send me a text!

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Let's stay in touch:
Join my email list and I will send you my three favorite protein-rich smoothie recipes!

Follow me on Instagram: @midlifeadvicepodcast | @belongwellness
Check out my website: belongwellness.com

The holidays are here — which means parties, pressure, family expectations, and enough sugar to take down a small village. If you’re a midlife woman who’s finally feeling good again thanks to protein, strength training, better sleep, and smarter nutrition… the holidays can feel like a threat to your hard-won progress.

Good news: you can stay true to your healthy habits and have fun.

In this episode, Jessica talks with Jacquelyn Reale, the vibrant natural chef behind Marin Mama Cooks, who shares the holiday eating tips every midlife woman needs to feel grounded, energized, and guilt-free all season long.

You’ll hear:

✔️Simple mindset shifts to release guilt and holiday pressure

✔️How to set loving boundaries with food, alcohol, and family dynamics

✔️The blood-sugar-friendly trick to avoid overeating at parties

✔️Ways to enjoy the foods you love without spiraling

✔️Easy, make-ahead side dishes that bring color and nourishment to any holiday table

Perfect for women navigating perimenopause, stress, chaotic schedules, and the emotional labor of the holidays.

Find Jackie:

marinmamacooks.com

@marinmamacooks

Marin Mama Cooks recipes mentioned:

Kale & Brussels with Toasted Almonds

Vegan Kale Salad

Green Beans & Shallots

Broccolini & Shallots

Roasted Honeynut Squash & Red Onion

CHAPTERS:

01:42 How to Stick to Your Healthy Values & Have Fun During the Holidays

04:03 How to Refuse the Food You Don't Want

04:55 Release Judgment of Others and Yourself

07:27 Food Guilt & Mindset Shifts

09:09 Jackie's Healthy Holiday Party Strategy

11:58 How Jackie Started Marin Mama Cooks

14:54 Jackie's Favorite Healthy Holiday Side Dishes

17:41 Time-saving Tips in the Kitchen

22:28 Top Tip for Health: Read Ingredient Labels

24:26 Key Takeaways

I want to hear from you. Send me a text!

🎁 Gift an Enneagram session with Ali Dunn! Use promo code: ADVICE10 to save 10%. 🎁

Let's stay in touch:
Join my email list and I will send you my three favorite protein-rich smoothie recipes!

Follow me on Instagram: @midlifeadvicepodcast | @belongwellness
Check out my website: belongwellness.com