A real end of year convo on letting go, choosing intention, and moving forward

Christmas is behind us, Hanukkah has passed (we don’t celebrate it, but we appreciate the Festival of Lights), we’re in the midst of Kwanzaa, and New Year’s is right around the corner and this “in-between week” has us reflecting in real time.

In this episode, Roxana and Dominique talk about how fast the year flew by, how the constant flood of bad news can create a numbing effect, and how we can stay compassionate without carrying everything. We also get personal: birthdays as a “real reset,” why growth often looks like letting go, and why we’re done repeating patterns that already proved they don’t fit.

We also share what we love about Kwanzaa (even though we didn’t grow up celebrating it) and break down the seven principles — unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith — plus why we’re considering celebrating it more intentionally next year. We also talk about money after the holidays: depleted savings, spending remorse, and how to reset without shame.

Key Takeaways:
• The week between holidays and New Year’s is a natural pause point — a chance to reflect instead of rushing.
• With so much bad news, forgetting happens from overload — the goal is compassion without numbness.
• Growth often feels like letting go: stop re-exposing yourself to the same chaos, patterns, or “second chances” you already know you don’t want.
• Your “new year” can be New Year’s or your birthday — what matters is choosing a cycle that motivates action and follow-through.
• Kwanzaa’s principles are a powerful blueprint for intentional living (even if you’re new to celebrating it).
• After-holiday finances are part of wellness — reset with awareness and boundaries, not guilt.

Correction note: In the episode, we referenced the length of the last government shutdown. For accuracy, the shutdown discussed was the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, lasting 43 days and resulting in widespread federal furloughs and closures of government institutions.If this episode hit home, tell us: What’s one thing you’re releasing from this year and one thing you’re carrying into 2026?

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