By Casa de Suna
Published Oct 09
As we approach the final months of this year (!!!) we’re here to remind you that, amidst all the excitement, it’s important to stay grounded and take time for yourselves.
But since we’re not always the best at doing that (we have parties to plan and treats to bake!), we tapped friend of CDS and founder of Wondersource, Michelle Velan, to share her top tips.
QUESTION 01Do you have any mindfulness tips for when life gets overwhelming, but you can’t exactly step back and rest (i.e. lots of work and holiday parties)?
Be intentional with your energy. Fun and pleasure are essential for health and success—so give yourself permission to enjoy them. But remember: just because you’re invited somewhere doesn’t mean you have to go. Choose what feels expansive and energizing and say no to what drains you.
Keep daily check-ins. Start your morning in a few minutes of silence—feel what’s going on in your body, notice the tensions, ask yourself what you need. End your day with a similar 3–10 minute reset.
Visualise your highest self. Take a few minutes each day to picture yourself moving through your schedule with ease, joy, and energy. See yourself thriving at the events that light you up.
Use simple resets. Tapping (more on this soon!), a short walk around the block, or a quick breathwork session can bring you back into balance fast.
Stick to healthy anchors. For every drink, have a glass of water. Prioritize sleep when you can. Small choices compound into how good you feel.
I have found it really helpful to cut out alcohol for now. I find it easy to feel overwhelmed if you’re feeling sluggish or not sleeping great.
The key is being intentional and really prioritizing feeling good, not just powering through. Stay connected to yourself, honour your needs, and choose where you put your energy. Make your happiness, dreams and wellbeing non-negotiables in your life. When you do, everything and everyone in your life benefits.
QUESTION 02Do you have any tips for turning overwhelm into excitement?
First, I remind myself that overwhelm is a choice. When it shows up, I pause, land in my body, and ask: What’s really going on here? What’s the fear beneath this feeling? What do I need right now?
Then I reconnect to my vision. That shift is powerful—when I’m aligned with the bigger picture, overwhelm transforms into excitement.
So here’s my advice:
- Give yourself permission to dream bigger and create a vision that feels aligned with your true self and excites you
- Work on developing self compassion and kind self talk like it’s your job.
- Visualize and feel into that vision daily.
- Remember, what’s meant for you won’t require self-sacrifice or constant overextension.
- Allow yourself to rest, invest in your growth, and pour back into yourself.
When you hold the aligned vision, the pressure turns into fuel.
An exciting vision will make it easy to want to align your behaviours with who you’re becoming. And please know, you will have to invest in yourself and believe in yourself before you have evidence that you should. You’ll think “who cares if I talk to myself unkindly today or if I go to the gym when I said I would or if I have one more drink.”I don’t think of any behavior as “bad”, and I don’t want you to ever judge yourself, but I want you to take actions and steps from your most loving empowered self.
Ask yourself: How would the version of you who knows how worthy, enough and powerful they are and that their success is inevitable show up in this situation?
QUESTION 02Do you have any 5-10 minute ways someone can turn a stressful day into a mindful one?
Yes, commit to being intentional and slowing down.
- Take five minutes to sit in stillness. It’s incredible what even a few minutes of quiet can do. We think rushing saves time, but it actually drains energy and leaks power.
- If you feel triggered, step away—even to the bathroom—put your hand on your heart, and remind yourself: “Even in uncertainty, I stand in my power.” Have a few powerful strategies that anchor you into your power.
- Try a short stress-tapping practice. Just a few minutes can reset your system.
- Ask yourself powerful reframe questions when stuck in a trigger:
- What am I making this mean about me or the world?
- Is that the ultimate truth? (It never is.)
- What else could be true?
- What if the opposite were true?
- What am I choosing to believe as a mature, loving adult?
Triggers are just invitations. They show us where we’re not yet free, and give us the chance to reprogram old stories. Every time you meet yourself with compassion and a new, empowering truth, you’re building freedom, confidence, and self-trust.
- What am I making this mean about me or the world?
- Is that the ultimate truth? (It never is.)
- What else could be true?
- What if the opposite were true?
- What am I choosing to believe as a mature, loving adult?
