It’s December, Thrivesters, which means we are officially in the season where six months of living gets crammed into three weeks and somehow we’re all expected to smile, sparkle, and simultaneously attend 47 events with matching pajamas and homemade cookies.

Spoiler Alert: You cannot do all the things.

And neither can I.

In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the years I used to run myself ragged hosting full-blown holiday extravaganzas - ice sculptures, champagne fountains, disco lights, custom cocktail napkins. Yes, in a Boston apartment. Yes, while I was flying around delivering keynotes and eating airport dinners.

And they were FUN…

Until they weren’t.

Eventually, the holidays became less “joyful celebration” and more “why am I sweating through December while everyone else is sipping mulled wine?” So I stopped. And wow, did people have feelings about it. (I still get the Devil Wears Prada up-and-down look every year. You know the one.)

Truth bomb for you Thrivesters:

You’re allowed to say no.

You’re allowed to protect your energy.

And you’re allowed to enjoy a holiday season that doesn’t leave you looking like the cat who touched the light socket.

Today I’m giving you five no-BS, drama-free ways to say NO - with kindness, with clarity, with confidence, and without ghosting people or offering panicked explanations.

December wants to pull you in a thousand directions and this episode hands you the scripts, the confidence, and the permission to choose where your energy goes this season - and where it absolutely does not.

Because protecting your peace is not rude, selfish, or dramatic.

It’s leadership.

It’s maturity.

It’s growth.

And it’s exactly how you step into 2026 as the YOU, you actually want to be.

✨ The next episode is a special one, so make sure you’re subscribed… it’s going to be GOOD.

Now go thrive like you mean it.

Links & Resources:

• Join the waitlist for my free 2025 Holiday Thrive Guide —your permission slip to slow down, savor, and actually enjoy the season. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/BpdMURp

• Join the Thrive Hive and receive the Weekly Buzz: ⁠https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/MurXaK9⁠
• Grab my best-selling book Unmute Yourself: https://www.amazon.com/Unmute-Yourself-Speak-Stand-Out/dp/B094988YFD
• Follow me on Instagram: ⁠@nancy_medoff (https://www.instagram.com/nancy.medoff)
• Connect with me on LinkedIn: @nancymedoff (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancymedoff/)