This time of year can bring an incredible mix of emotions - excitement, nostalgia, celebration - but also pressure, comparison, and that feeling of “I should be doing more.”

With social media in our faces 24/7, it’s tough to remember that it’s a highlight reel, not a full story. You see the perfectly plated holiday meals, the designer gifts wrapped with silk ribbon, the family photos where everyone is smiling (and conveniently forgot to post the 36 meltdown photos before it).

But you’re only seeing the best angle, the best takes, the best lighting… not the arguments, anxiety, financial stress, or loneliness that many people also experience during this season!

If you’re feeling stressed or behind, know you are not alone.

Here are a few reminders I come back to often:

Progress > perfection
Small daily habits add up far more than a “perfect” week.

Your timeline is allowed to look different
Someone buying a house, someone losing weight, someone getting married - this doesn’t mean you’re behind.

Your peace is worth more than people-pleasing
Say no. Set boundaries. You’re allowed.

Food is part of celebration, not the enemy
One meal won’t derail you. One choice the next day puts you right back on track!

Your body is not a holiday project
You deserve respect at every stage, not only when it's “before and after”-worthy.

The goal this season isn’t perfection… it’s presence.

On Another Note: “Zero Sugar” Doesn’t Mean Zero Problems 🍪🚨

Oreo is launching Zero Sugar Oreos and people keep sending them to me like it's a huge win 😦, but here’s the issue:

“Zero sugar” often means artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, and bioengineered ingredients slapped with better-for-you marketing.

And that’s exactly what we’re seeing here.

Better options exist without the chemical trade-off:

⭐ Sweet Addison’s
⭐ Sweet Loren’s
⭐ Siete
⭐ Simple Mills
⭐ Yumkies

These brands prove it's possible to make a cookie that tastes great without pretending sugar doesn’t exist and replacing it with lab-created sweeteners!

A Simple Holiday Intention

If you choose one intention this season, let it be this:

👉 Support your body, support your mental health, and don’t let comparison steal your joy. Trust me, you’re doing better than you think you are!

And when January comes, you’ll have something more important than a “perfect” food log: you’ll have connection, laughter, and presence. Which are pretty powerful for your health too.

P.S.

You are doing better than you think. Someone out there would love to be in your exact position. 😄 

🎁 Before You Go: Don’t Forget My Holiday Gift Guide

If you’re shopping for family, friends, coworkers, or the wellness lovers in your life, I put together a curated list of my favorite clean, thoughtful, actually-useful products.

Shop my Holiday Gift Guide here: https://shopmy.us/healthwithhunter/2025-gift-guide

Save time, avoid the toxins, skip the overwhelm, and discover brands that truly care about ingredients and impact!

You can also shop new finds on my Amazon Storefront here.

Have a great rest of your week!
– Hunter