A Christmas Free Sanctuary at Massage with M

Every year, as soon as December rolls around, I can feel the collective energy shift — and not always in a way that feels nourishing or calm. I’ll be driving up the road, only a couple of minutes from home, and suddenly it hits: the rush, the frustration, the traffic, the holiday shopping, the grocery-store chaos, the to-do lists, the end-of-year deadlines, the parties, the noise, the pressure.

The “Christmas energy” is real, and it’s loud.

By the time I turn back into my driveway, I can feel my whole system exhale. I’m someone who feels energy deeply. I need spaciousness, nature, quiet, and solitude to stay well. Too much concrete, too much small talk, too much frantic collective buzz — it drains me quickly. I’m a substance-over-surface kind of human, and the fast-paced social expectations of this time of year don’t leave much room for depth.

Lately, I’ve been putting together some simple little gift packs that clients can buy if they feel called to. I will still upload these for purchasing. But, as I sit at my inbox, unsubscribing from the endless daily marketing emails, another truth becomes clear: I have absolutely zero desire to bombard people with sales pitches. I don’t want to push products, upsell services, or add to the pressure and noise. There is already so much demand energy out there. Do I really want to contribute to that frenzy? NOPE.

And honestly, many people aren’t even looking forward to Christmas. Some dread it. Some find it stressful. Some are grieving. Some would skip it altogether if they could. My own family is navigating its own challenges right now, and I’m picturing Christmas Day being as simple as possible — probably me, my daughter, the camper, and a quiet hour or two at the local beach, rain or shine.

No pressure. No performance. Just presence.

So this week, I made a decision for the Massage with M studio: I’m going against the grain this year. There will be no Christmas decorations. No tree, no lights, no themed displays.

I want this space to be the one place you can walk into and not feel that December intensity. A place that doesn’t remind you of what you still need to buy, organise, cook, or navigate.

A space that asks nothing of you. A sanctuary. A pause from the frenzy. A breath.

I hope that feels okay for most of you. And if you’re someone who needs the Christmas sparkle — that’s absolutely fine too. There are plenty of places to get your festive fix (hopefully not other massage therapists! LOL).

In here, you get to step out of the rush and into something softer.

Something quieter.

Something that asks nothing of you except to simply be.