Please note that this is an Archived article and may contain content that is out of date. The use of she/her/hers pronouns in some articles is not intended to be exclusionary. Eating disorders can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights.

By Quinn Nystrom, MS

If the holidays feel complicated for you, you’re not alone. This time of year is often portrayed as magical and abundant, but it also comes with pressure—to buy more, do more, and show up more. For those of us in recovery, that kind of pressure can feel especially heavy.

Over the years, I’ve been learning that abundance doesn’t come from overspending or overdoing. The deepest kind of abundance has shown up for me in the quiet, simple moments, and I want to share a few of those with you—because maybe they’ll remind you, too, that doing less and spending less can actually open the door to more.

1. Redefining Precious Gifts

One of the most valuable gifts I’ve ever received didn’t come from a store. My middle made me a little hand-bound book of her favorite memories—just the two of us. Inside were stories, laughter, and details I’d long forgotten but that lived vividly in her heart.

When she gave it to me, I burst into tears. Not because it was fancy, but because it was real. Every heartbreak, every night I’d spent away in treatment, every moment I thought I was failing as a mom—it was all somehow wrapped up in this reminder that love had survived. That book is more precious to me than any diamond, because it carried healing and hope on every page.

What I’ve learned: The most priceless gifts are the ones rooted in presence and memory. They remind us that love outlasts struggle.

2. Finding Joy in Simple Giving

One holiday season, I felt weighed down by the idea of buying “perfect” gifts for our neighbors. The pressure to impress was real. But instead of heading to the mall, Sophie and I went to the Dollar Store for a few simple supplies, then to the grocery store, and together we made homemade hot cocoa kits. We tied them with ribbon, bundled up during a Minnesota blizzard, and added handwritten notes sharing why we’re grateful for our neighbors.

Those little kits didn’t cost much, but the process was joyful. And the response we got—smiles, thank-yous, and genuine connection—reminded me that generosity isn’t measured by price tags.

What I’ve learned: Simple, heartfelt gestures often mean more than polished, expensive ones. Gratitude, written in your own words, is a gift all by itself.

3. Honoring Your Own Energy

The holidays can also pull us in a thousand directions—parties, dinners, traditions, obligations. I used to believe I had to say yes to everything, until I realized that all those yeses often left me empty.

Recovery has taught me that boundaries are essential. Now, I ask myself before committing: Does this nurture me, or will it drain me? And when I say no, I remind myself it’s not about letting people down—it’s about protecting the space I need to heal and be present.

What I’ve learned: Saying no can be a gift too—the kind that protects your peace and makes room for genuine connection.

4. Seeing Abundance in the Everyday

I used to think abundance meant excess—overflowing tables, full calendars, big gatherings. But I’ve learned it often lives in the smallest things. A quiet morning with tea. A walk outside noticing snowflakes and lights. A moment of laughter with someone you love.

Weave in simple grounding rituals during the holidays, such as lighting a candle at night, journaling a few things I’m grateful for, or pausing to breathe before a gathering. They remind me that fullness doesn’t have to come from doing more.

What I’ve learned: When we slow down enough to notice, life gives us more than we realize.

So this year, maybe we can both release the pressure to do and spend our way into abundance. Instead, let’s notice what’s already here. Let’s allow the holidays to be about presence, gratitude, and love—the things that actually sustain us on this recovery journey.

I’m with you in this. You don’t have to do it perfectly, and you don’t have to do it all. Abundance is already waiting for you in the small, meaningful moments.