The start of a new year often comes with quiet expectation... to do more, be more, and have everything figured out. For many moms, especially those balancing motherhood, work, and caregiving, that pressure doesn’t feel motivating. It feels heavy.

In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, licensed therapist, mom coach, and podcast host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman reflects on the emotional weight of the New Year and what it really means to grow when life, and capacity, looks different than it once did.

Rather than leaning into “new year, new me” energy, this conversation offers a grounded reframe rooted in grace, intention, and deliberate growth. It’s an honest look at expectations we place on ourselves, how motherhood reshapes our capacity, and why progress still counts even when it doesn’t show up loudly or in numbers.

This episode is especially for professional moms who are juggling multiple roles while quietly wondering if they’re doing enough, or falling behind.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this reflective New Year episode, Vanessa explores:

• Why the New Year often feels emotionally heavy for moms
• How motherhood and professional life change capacity and expectations
• The difference between intentional growth and deliberate growth
• Why progress doesn’t always show up in numbers
• Letting go of unrealistic “new year, new me” pressure
• A more compassionate approach to personal growth

A NOTE FOR MOMS WHO NEED SUPPORT RIGHT NOW

Vanessa shares why she’s bringing back The Real Talk Reset, an intentionally small Amiga Moms support group created for moms who are carrying a lot and need space to pause, talk honestly, and manage big emotions without suppressing them.

• The next Real Talk Reset takes place January 10th in Ridgefield, NJ
• https://www.amigamoms.com/event-details/therealtalkreset-jan
• Podcast listeners receive a special thank-you discount: FTBMPod25J
• Groups are intentionally kept small for a curated, intimate experience
• While it can feel therapeutic, this is not therapy

If you’re listening after January 10th, The Real Talk Reset will continue on a monthly basis in Ridgefield, NJ.

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE

You don’t need a louder year to have a meaningful one. You don’t need to reinvent yourself to grow. And you’re not behind... you’re r

Send us a text

Support the show

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


LET’S STAY CONNECTED:
🌐 Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/
💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com/
🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking

DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

Recovering from the holidays can feel unexpectedly heavy for moms… even after schedules finally slow. In this final episode of 2025, and the culmination of the Anti-Overwhelm Holiday Series, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC reflects on what this season asked of moms, why the week between Christmas and New Year’s can feel emotionally off, and how investing in yourself is not indulgent, but instead an essential piece in parenting, regulation, and long-term well-being.

This episode offers a gentle close to the year, permission to rest during the break, and reassurance that support is available when you’re ready, without pressure or urgency.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

• A concise reflection on the Anti-Overwhelm Holiday Series and the core themes moms resonated with most
• Why the week between Christmas and New Year’s often feels strange, emotional, or unsettling… even when life slows down externally
• A powerful reframe: this week is for integration, not intention
• A relatable reminder to invest in yourself, including a light, honest take on self-investment and care
• What coaching actually looks like in real life - practical tools that help moms pause, regulate, and respond instead of react
• Why regulated parenting, repair, and emotional modeling matter for kids and help break generational patterns
• A compassionate look ahead to 2026 using quarterly goals instead of pressure-filled resolutions

TUNE IN TO LEARN

• Why Feeling Exhausted After The Holidays Is Normal, Not A Personal Failure
• How Moms Can Use The Week Between Christmas And New Year’s As A Landing Space
• What It Really Means To Invest In Yourself Without Guilt
• How Coaching Supports Everyday Parenting Moments - Mornings, Bedtime, Transitions, And Meltdowns
• Why Emotional Regulation And Repair Create Long-Term Benefits For Kids
• How To Think About The New Year In A Way That Feels Supportive, Not Stressful

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE
You don’t need to use this break to catch up, reinvent yourself, or plan your entire year. You’re allowed to rest, soften, and let this be a pause. And when you’re ready, whether through coaching support, in-person spaces for moms beginning in January, or simply continuing to listen, you don’t have to do motherhood alone.

Send us a text

Support the show

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


LET’S STAY CONNECTED:
🌐 Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/
💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com/
🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking

DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

The final week of holiday shopping can feel overwhelming, especially for moms carrying the mental load of gifts, schedules, budgets, and expectations. In this episode of the Anti-Overwhelm Holiday Series, Licensed Therapist and Mom Coach Vanessa De Jesus Guzman explores the emotional pressure behind money, gift-giving, and the belief that we have to “go big” to show love during the holidays.

Through personal reflection, humor, and real-life examples, Vanessa unpacks why holiday financial stress and comparison hit so hard, how gift guilt sneaks in quietly, and why generosity doesn’t have to mean overspending or overextending yourself. This episode offers permission to simplify, redefine what “enough” looks like, and spread care throughout the year, not just on one day.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

• Why the last week of holiday shopping increases overwhelm and mom mental load
• How gift-giving pressure becomes tied to love, worth, and expectations
• Vanessa’s personal approach to holiday gifts and why it works for her family
• Lessons from the Netflix movie Roofman and the “more is better” trap
• Why generosity isn’t always about money, and how time and presence matter

TUNE IN TO LEARN

• Why feeling behind during the holidays doesn’t mean you are behind
• How “go big or go home” thinking fuels stress, comparison, and overspending
• Ways moms can simplify holiday expectations without guilt
• How to reduce financial stress during the holidays
• Why support for moms doesn’t have to wait until the new year

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE
This episode isn’t about doing the holidays right - it’s about easing the pressure so many moms carry quietly. If you’re still shopping, you’re not behind. If your gifts look simpler this year, your love isn’t smaller. And if this season feels heavier than expected, there’s a reason... you’ve been carrying a lot.

As we move through this final stretch, we’re invited to slow down, let go of comparison, and remember that generosity can be sustainable. And sometimes, the most meaningful gift we give ourselves is support. Listen in, and remember... you’re always free to be mindful.

Send us a text

Support the show

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


LET’S STAY CONNECTED:
🌐 Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/
💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com/
🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking

DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.