As another year draws to a close, why does the pressure to reinvent ourselves, set big goals, and “start fresh” feel so intense? In this Headflex episode, co-hosts Rebecca and Diane pause the hustle, inviting you to join them in a gentle, honest reflection on the year that’s just ended.

Whether you’re craving a mindful way to say goodbye to 2025, hoping to set intentions for the coming year, or simply seeking a quieter space after a whirlwind December, Rebecca and Diane walk you through self-coaching questions, share personal stories, and offer insights for bringing perspective and intention into 2026.

Pour yourself a cuppa, grab your notebook, and settle in. This episode is dedicated to helping you reset, reflect, and carry forward what truly matters, one gentle, intentional pause at a time.

Here are the highlights:

00:00 Year-end podcast reflection before the new year

03:18 Reflect on your successes and what makes you proud

07:27 Focused on mindful work, finding joy in projects, and prioritising meaningful pursuits for next year

11:12 Health, self-discovery, and building bravery through support

15:38 Prioritise gentleness, reflection, and intentionality over rushing

16:50 Excited and intentional for the upcoming year, focusing on pacing and creating space for growth.

Connect with us at Headflex:

Email: hello@headflex.co.uk.

Website: www.headflex.co.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/head.flex/

Produced by Winter Audio

Why can the end of the year feel so emotionally charged - equal parts festive, frantic, and, for many, deeply stressful? In this Headflex episode, co-hosts Rebecca Walker and Diane Williams get real about the pressures of the holiday season. They share practical ways to manage workplace and personal expectations, flex your boundaries, and avoid ending up burnt out on December 24th.

Drawing from their coaching expertise, Rebecca and Diane discuss how tiredness, loneliness, and the ‘shoulds’ of the holidays can weigh on us, and why understanding your ‘stress signature’ is the starting point for real change. This episode serves up actionable insights and reflection questions to help you thrive, not just survive the festive period.

Here are the Highlights:

00:00 Intro: How to survive the stressful festive season

00:22 Exploring common workplace and home stressors

02:31 How to deal with the pressure of expectations

03:05 The power of social connection

04:16 Why ‘shoulds’ create more stress

05:19 The introvert/extrovert divide. Social battery drain versus loneliness and FOMO

06:18 How to stop overcommitting at work & socially

07:47 Recognising your personal ‘stress signature’

09:12 Creating safe spaces to talk honestly and support each other

10:14 Reframing deadlines: Can tasks wait until January?

12:22 Identifying unnecessary tasks (at work and at home) to reduce drain

13:39 Why a January lunch might beat squeezing in another event

17:14 Joyful priorities, creating pauses, finding nourishment

19:06 Christmas dinner plans and how food connects and nourishes

Connect with us at Headflex:

Email: hello@headflex.co.uk.

Website: www.headflex.co.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/head.flex/

Produced by Winter Audio

How often do you speak kindly to yourself after making a mistake or do you tend to be your own harshest critic? In this episode of Headflex, co-hosts Rebecca and Diane explore the powerful, but often misunderstood topic of self-compassion. Discover why being kinder to ourselves isn’t just “soft” or self-indulgent it’s scientifically proven to boost resilience, emotional regulation, and wellbeing.

Rebecca and Diane bust some big myths about self-compassion and share their coaching insights on why so many of us struggle to treat ourselves with the same kindness we offer others. Whether you’re wrestling with high expectations, tough self-talk, or feeling “stuck,” this episode will help you shift your perspective, boost your confidence, and unlock new ways to grow at work and beyond.

Here are the Highlights:

00:00 Introduction: Why self-compassion matters at work and in life

00:22 Seeing self-compassion as “soft” and why that’s a myth

01:08 Neuroscience: What kindness does for your body and mind

01:48 Philosophical roots from Aristotle to Buddha and Stoic wisdom

04:18 Mindfulness, common humanity, kindness

05:15 Expectations, imperfection, and tough self-talk at work

06:22 How our environment and learned behaviuor impact self-compassion

09:10 How awareness breaks the cycle of self-criticism

10:45 Is compassion weakness? Why the opposite is true

12:22 Accountability vs. kindness and why acceptance matters

15:09 When being kinder to yourself feels uncomfortable (or indulgent)

17:45 Lessons from health setbacks, parenting, and returning to work

20:45: Driving your career from compassion vs. “shoulds”

21:06 Practices to build self-compassion

26:46 Letting go, reframing, and daily habits for kinder self-talk

27:10 Self-coaching reflection questions to start your journey

Connect with us at Headflex:

Email: hello@headflex.co.uk.

Website: www.headflex.co.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/head.flex/

Produced by Winter Audio