In many stories, the protagonist sets out to search for a treasure, only to realise in the end that what they were looking for was something entirely different. December did that to me this year.
What I thought would be a month of “wrapping things up” quietly turned into a month of discovering new selves – my own, and those of others around me. The first round of interviews for my first book brought depth, honesty, and moments of recognition I did not anticipate. I found myself touched not only by the insights shared, but by the willingness of leaders to speak openly about what truly shaped them – beyond titles, achievements, and polished narratives. I’m already looking forward to continuing this work in January and to completing the book in 2026, so these reflections and tools can serve others navigating change and transition with a little more balance and trust. Some insights stayed with me.
On Leadership. Sometimes we believe we are leading because of our role, our income, or the recognition we receive. And yet, real leadership often reveals itself only through life events and inner work. It lives at a different level. Titles and achievements become decoration. What remains is a quieter knowing: I create positive impact. I don’t need to prove it. I still want to evolve. And I care about the footprint I leave behind.
On Support. Moments of change are not meant to be walked alone. Asking for help is not a weakness; it is often a sign of clarity and maturity. Sometimes life feels like the story of Sisyphus – effort after effort, the stone rolling back just when we thought we were close. What we tend to forget is that the struggle is not a requirement. We are not meant to push the stone on our own. Support does not remove the work, but it changes how heavy it feels.
This month reminded me again of the power of honest, trust-based conversations. It also reminded me that life can be messy and that we can still navigate it with grace when we have the right tools and the right people. Friends stepping into new chapters. Old friends showing up despite a challenging trip. Former colleagues offering support. A loved one simply saying, “How are you?” and staying present for the long answer. There were also very human moments: mixing up course dates I was deeply looking forward to, and being met not with judgement, but with gentle guidance. Allowing myself a lower moment and applying, once again, the practices I share with others to return to a more resourced, empowered state.
A Playful Year-end Pause
As the holidays approach, I’d like to invite you into a simple and powerful exercise. When you gather with family or friends, ask yourself (and maybe others, if it feels right):
Why am I a gift? What are my unique qualities that, if I were to place them under the Christmas tree, or in a shoe on the 6th of January (if you are in Spain), could make you or someone smile, learn, or move through a challenge?
I listed my top 11, a number close to my heart. It brings me back to a defining moment of my life, on platform 11 at Zurich train station, where I met my future husband. Here is my list.
I am a gift because:
⭐️ I connect deeply – with love and compassion – with myself and with others.
⭐️ People often feel more harmony when I’m around.
⭐️ I live with courage, allowing my fears and my strengths to coexist.
⭐️ Through my work, I serve others and contribute to positive change.
⭐️ I see the world as full of possibilities and I spread that perspective.
⭐️ I make the second-best tortilla de patatas (in our two-person family) and the best beetroot soup.
⭐️ I keep learning and evolving, even through small, everyday choices.
⭐️ I listen, and meet people where they are.
⭐️ I share with generosity what I have and what I know.
⭐️ When I smile, the whole room fills with sunshine (my husband’s words).
⭐️ And the most important one: I am a gift simply because I am. Not from ego or arrogance but from recognising that life itself is priceless, even if we sometimes forget that.
What happens in you as you read this list?
At this time of year, it’s very easy to slip “below the line” into old patterns, pre-holiday tension, or familiar family dynamics where sensitive topics turn conversations into thin ice. And yet, there is always a choice. You can ask: Why am I a gift? Or you can ask: Why is life so hard? Both questions will be answered. Especially during transitions (professional or personal) the story we tell ourselves matters. The transition from one year to the next can be an opportunity for a deeper shift. Not the kind that fades by February like a gym resolution, but one rooted in awareness, unlearning, and relearning.
It’s not about forcing change. It’s about creating new inner pathways in the mind, the body, and the nervous system that support how we want to live and lead.
A Small Gift for You
If you’d like to move through the coming weeks and into the new year with more ease rather than dis-ease, I’ve created a 3-Steps Self-Awareness Tool on Transition. It’s a gentle, practical invitation to pause, reflect, and listen not only to your thoughts, but also to what your body is telling you. You can download it freely from my website and use it in your own rhythm.
And if it brings up the sense that you don’t want to navigate something alone – that awareness already matters. You are a gift because you are here! And through who you are and how you choose to show up, you can also be a gift to others.
An Invitation for January 2026
If you’d like to start 2026 with more clarity, courage, and purpose, you’re warmly invited to my free online live 2026 Kick-off event on 15 January. It’s a space to reflect, reconnect, and orient yourself without pressure. Details and registration are available here.
I wish you a joyful Christmas time and a fulfilling, consciously lived 2026!
