This episode of the podcast truly sets the tone for what's ahead: a slower, more intentional start to 2026 that is grounded in truth, humor, reflection, and trust, so if you have ever felt pressure to rush forward before you're ready, then this conversation will feel like permission to breathe.

Jill welcomes everyone to the first episode of 2026! Tune in as she opens up with a heartfelt welcome and a moment of celebration after discovering Spotify Wrapped named the show a 2025 marathon show, fan favorite, and one of the most shared podcasts of the year! Jill breaks down what those numbers actually mean (nearly 1,000% growth in new listeners, increased followers, and global reach) while grounding the win in gratitude for the community and team behind the scenes!

Jill's conversation then shifts into something far more personal, with her reflecting on a holiday season that didn't look the way she expected: a Christmas without her family home, without beloved decorations, with illness, only fragments of time with all five kids together, etc., and she shares how those changes stirred old childhood wounds that she points out are tied to scarcity, safety, and control. She also discusses how the loss of aesthetic rituals revealed just how much they mattered to her, not out of perfectionism but as a form of healing and self-expression!

Jill also features stories of last-minute wrapping paper, forced "Christmas Eve," and learning to laugh at herself when things fall apart, and she revisits her now-signature practice of closing out a year intentionally, explaining why she doesn't rush into January 1st as a clean slate. Jill discusses slowing down, reflecting, releasing, and allowing the year to end on a proper note before welcoming the next. She draws from lunar rhythms, personal intuition, and years of guiding others through this process, and rather than resolutions or hustle, Jill invites listeners into stillness, clarity, and boundaries as preparation for the coming year of the Fire Horse!

Show Notes: [0:08] - Jill welcomes listeners, shares a Wrapped surprise, and celebrates five years and over 300 episodes. [3:16 - Hear how Spotify crowned Be YOU Podcast a 2025 favorite! [5:22] - Jill explains how a 13% follower increase shows intentional loyalty and global reach. [8:07] - Jill reminds us that holidays are messy, social media lies, and envy dissolves when there is truth. [11:35] - Jill discusses how Christmas felt strange because she lacked her home. [14:46] - Giving defines Jill, but lost traditions and fractured schedules quietly deepened the holiday sadness for her. [17:25] - Hear how Christmas felt chaotic for Jill even though she embraced imperfect moments and reflected on her love for aesthetics. [20:28] - Jill accepted what she couldn't control, finding meaning and joy despite a messy holiday. [22:56] - Last week's episode replay can help listeners anchor lessons, release burdens, and close the year consciously! [25:35] - January is for slow reflection, preparing thoughtfully for 2026 instead of ushing forward. [28:50] - Jill elaborates on how the year of the fire horse signals growth, intensity, and embracing life's expansion. [30:10] - Hear how Jill eased into the new year gradually, reflecting deeply, letting go, and trusting her soul's guidance.

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