THE OTHER SIDE OF CHRISTMAS: A Quiet Return to Ourselves

Christmas carries a certain magic — the traditions, the music, the lights, the long-held rituals that remind us of who we are and where we come from. It’s one of the few times when the world collectively exhales. We reconnect with the people who matter, share meals, laugh, and soften into something slower and more human.

But once the last ornament is boxed away and the leftovers disappear, something changes.

We cross into the other side of Christmas — a quieter, more honest space that sits between celebration and the arrival of a brand-new year. Most people rush past it. Yet it may be the most powerful moment of the entire season.

The Quiet Before 2026

These final days of December feel different. Time slows. The evenings deepen. For many of us, it’s the first real calm we’ve tasted in weeks — maybe months.

A few nights ago, sitting in the stillness of my place in Sheet Harbour after a long walk with my dog Skye, I noticed how profoundly quiet the world was. No deadlines. No noise. Just the soft hum of winter settling over everything. For a moment, it felt like the year itself was asking for my attention. That’s the invitation of this season:

A pause long enough to hear the truth beneath the busyness.

Before 2026 arrives with its goals, responsibilities, bills, ambitions, and unexpected curveballs, this quiet becomes a chance to ask one of the most important questions of the year:

“Who is the version of me that I want to bring into the new year?”

A Gentle Self-Critique

This isn’t about tearing yourself apart or revisiting regret. It’s about honest reflection — the kind that clarifies rather than criticizes. Try sitting with these three questions:

1) Where did I show up well this year?
Let yourself acknowledge it. We forget to celebrate what we’ve survived and what we’ve improved.

2) Where did I feel stretched, stressed, or out of alignment?
Not as failures — as signals. Your mind and body spoke to you all year; this is a chance to finally listen.

3) What does the “best version of me” actually look like in January?
Not a fantasy. More like a direction. Maybe it’s:

·         more patient with yourself

·         more energy-balanced

·         less reactive

·         more intentional with stress

·         better at asking for what you need

·         five minutes calmer each morning

Simple. Real. Ready to grow. This is the side of Christmas no one talks about: the clarity that appears once the decorations are gone and the noise fades.

Stress, Emotions, and the Work Ahead

If there’s one universal truth about the year-end period, it’s this:

Everything we didn’t process throughout the year tends to surface now.

·         The emotions we tucked away.

·         The stress we carried quietly.

·         The unfinished chapters.

·         The difficult conversations we have delayed.

The good news? This is the ideal time to finally face them — calmly, gently, and with curiosity rather than fear.

In 2026, I intend to help make that process easier for you.

Weekly Articles for a Stronger You

As we move into the new year, I’ll be sharing weekly articles designed to help you understand and navigate the parts of life that matter most but often get ignored:

·         stress and emotional awareness

·         energy regulation and nervous system health

·         mindful living in real-world contexts

·         simple practices that reduce overwhelm

·         small, sustainable changes that create big results

Each piece will be practical, relatable, and grounded in the kind of work that will actually improve daily life, real life.

The Release of MBSR 2.0

Alongside these articles, I’m excited to be releasing MBSR 2.0, an updated, accessible approach to mindfulness training that reflects years of teaching, counselling, and observing what truly helps people transform. MBSR 2.0 is:

·         adaptive instead of rigid

·         trauma-aware instead of demanding

·         practical instead of overwhelming

It’s designed for real people with real stress, who want to grow without feeling like they’re adding more pressure to their lives.

Stepping into the New Year with Intention

The other side of Christmas invites a deep human truth:

You don’t need to sprint into 2026. You simply need to enter it awake.

Use this quiet moment wisely. Reflect honestly. Choose gently. Step forward with intention instead of urgency. And if you’d like support along the way, consider this your open invitation:

Join me each week as we explore stress, emotion, and mindful living — and walk together toward the best version of you.

Wishing you a peaceful close to the year and a mindful, meaningful start to 2026.

About the Author

Ken Marchtaler is a wellness coach, author, martial arts instructor, and mindfulness teacher dedicated to helping people navigate stress, build emotional resilience, and reconnect with their energy. The creator of MBSR 2.0 and the 8-Dimensional Path to Self-Regulation, Ken blends decades of experience in meditation, counselling, karate, yoga, and qigong into an approach that is practical, accessible, and deeply human.

He currently teaches 4-Seasons Qigong and Karate 5.0 for the Halifax Regional Municipality in Sheet Harbour and publishes weekly articles on stress, emotions, and mindful living. His mission is simple: to help people step into the best and most energized version of themselves — one small step at a time.