Mark Evans Studio

As the year draws to a close, there’s a natural pause that arrives with it - a collective exhale. The days grow shorter, the pace softens (even if only a little), and we’re given a rare invitation to reflect. Not in a rushed, goal-setting way, but in a quieter, more honest one. Those of you who have worked with me a lot know that I love to ask thought (and feeling) provoking questions, such as “What do I really want?” etc. So, this holiday season I encourage you to ask this simple but powerful question: ‘ How am I really doing?’   For many of us, the answer may feel complicated. Maybe you did everything you were “supposed” to do this year, yet something still feels misaligned. Maybe you worked harder than ever and didn’t see the results you hoped for. Or maybe you grew - but not in the ways you expected. Whatever the case, let this be a reminder: your experience is valid, and it matters. The holidays can be a beautiful opportunity to care for yourself in ways that often get sidelin...

The holidays arrive each year wrapped in twinkling lights, warm gatherings, and nostalgic traditions. They can feel downright magical - a stretch of time where the world seems to soften, where generosity rises to the surface, and where we get to slow down just enough to notice the beauty in small moments. Joy is everywhere: in the glow of decorated windows, in the music that floats through stores, in the rituals we return to year after year. But the holidays can also stir up something quieter and heavier. For many, this season amplifies feelings of melancholy, loneliness, or emotional fatigue. The contrast between the festive world outside and our private inner realities can feel especially sharp. Maybe loved ones are far away. Maybe the year didn’t unfold the way we hoped. Maybe we’re simply tired, stretched thin, or not sure how we fit into all the celebration. These feelings don’t make the season any less valid - they’re a natural part of being human, especially during a time steepe...