The Flavour That Lasts Is Joy

Christmas is my absolute favourite time of the year. From the 1st of December, Michael Bublé is on repeat, fairy lights are strung around the house, and I’m always sneaking extra cinnamon onto everything. The holidays feel like magic to me—family, food, friends, and a little sparkle everywhere.

But there were some years, I couldn’t fully feel that magic.

When I was trying to lose weight, Christmas didn’t feel magical. It felt like a test. The “critical part” of me was so loud back then. Every plate of food became a battle. I remember being surrounded by people I loved and yet completely stuck in my head, silently calculating calories while everyone else was laughing.

And yet, even in those moments, another part of me was there too. A part that longed to be present, to taste my Nana’s dessert, to clink glasses and feel the warmth of belonging. That part wanted joy.

It took me years to realise that food guilt isn’t a weakness. It was simply a protective part of me showing up, trying in its own way to keep us safe and in control. A lot of people experience food guilt. If food guilt creeps in these holidays, try not to push it away. Instead, I pause. I place a hand on my heart and whisper: “Thank you for trying to protect me. But I’m safe. I’m going to enjoy this moment. This won’t undo all the good work we’ve done.”

It’s such a simple practice, but it changes everything. My shoulders soften. My breath deepens. My body remembers what’s true—that connection and joy matter more than control.

Here’s what I’d love you to try this season:

A Gentle Reframe

Instead of labelling food as “good” or “bad,” think of it as part of the experience. Christmas pudding, pavlova, champagne toasts—these aren’t cheats, they’re traditions. They’re memory-makers. When we allow food to be part of connection instead of a measure of control, the guilt starts to loosen its grip.

A Somatic Reset

Before a meal or gathering, take three slow breaths. Feel your feet on the floor. Notice the smells, the colours, the laughter around you. Remind your body: “I am here to belong, not to perform.”

Journal Prompts to Explore

• What does my guilty part want me to know?

• What does my joyful part want me to know?

• If both could sit at the same table, what would they say to each other?

These questions create space for compassion rather than conflict inside you.

Remember What Lasts

When you look back on the holidays years from now, you won’t remember the exact number of calories you ate. You’ll remember the sound of carols, the taste of cinnamon, the laughter around the table, the people who love you. Those are the memories that matter.

So if guilt shows up at your table this year, let it have a seat—but don’t let it take the lead. Smile at it, thank it, and then turn toward joy. Because food is just one ingredient in the feast. The real nourishment is in presence, connection and the simple reminder that you are already enough.