Many of us stepped into this year with cautious optimism, hoping it might finally be a calmer chapter. Instead, it delivered just about everything except calm. From elections and political chaos to rising global tensions, environmental extremes, workplace upheaval and relentless cost-of-living pressure, it’s been a year that never seemed to let up.

And then, as the year closed, Australia was rocked by a horrifying terror attack that took lives and injured many more — a moment that stopped everything else in its tracks and left the nation grieving.

It’s no wonder so many people are feeling exhausted, sad and emotionally wrung out.

Bill speaks with conflict Strategist and Mediator Sarah Blake to help make sense of why this year has felt so heavy, how constant conflict and stress affect us, and how we can head into 2026 with clearer boundaries, softer ambition, and a little more permission to simply be.

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