In this Christmas Survival Guide edition, Zoe Willis shares practical tips and strategies for parents to maintain peace and joy during the busy holiday season. She emphasizes the importance of saying no to overwhelming commitments, organizing gift giving early, managing overstimulation from festivities, and setting boundaries to ensure a tranquil Christmas experience for families.

with Zoë F. Willis, English mother-of-many, Mum Mentor, and your host at this weekly gathering of real talk, real food, and real family life.

This is one of my short Mum Chats — a personal musing on various aspects of motherhood.

If you’ve ever reheated your tea three times before drinking it, you’re in the right place.

Whether you’re folding laundry, wrangling dinner, or just carving out five minutes of calm then this one’s for you.

📝 Command the Chaos – The Mum Life Management Planner

https://realliferealkitchen.com/mum-life-management-planner/

💌 Join The Kitchen Correspondence – my weekly letter with episodes, reflections & family food wisdom

https://realliferealkitchen.myflodesk.com/socials

☕ Support the Show – help keep the kettle on and the podcast going

https://the-real-life-real-kitchen.captivate.fm/support

If this episode made you nod, laugh, or breathe a little deeper — please:

• Follow or subscribe to the show
• Leave a short review (it really helps!)
• Share this episode with a fellow mum who might be quietly asking the same questions

• 📸 Instagram – @realliferealkitchen
• 👩‍👧‍👦 Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/realliferealkitchen
• ▶️ YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@Realliferealkitchen
• 🏡 Website – www.realliferealkitchen.com

Takeaways:

• In the lead-up to Christmas, it is imperative for mothers to prioritize their peace, allowing the option to decline excessive commitments that may lead to overwhelm.
• The importance of early gift planning cannot be overstated; organizing presents in advance can significantly alleviate last-minute stress.
• Families are encouraged to minimize the quantity of gifts received, focusing instead on meaningful experiences that foster connection and joy among loved ones.
• Maintaining a consistent routine during festive occasions is essential, as it helps children navigate excitement while avoiding meltdowns due to overstimulation.
• When it comes to holiday meals, preparing simple, familiar foods can make gatherings more enjoyable for children amidst the chaos of traditional celebrations.
• Establishing boundaries around gift-giving and social expectations during the holiday season is crucial for maintaining one's mental health and overall well-being.

In this episode, Felicia Linsky, a Hollywood makeup artist and mindfulness coach, shares her journey from aspiring pre-med student to successful makeup artist. She discusses the evolution of Hollywood, the importance of inner beauty, and practical tips for busy mothers to enhance their beauty routines. Felicia emphasizes the significance of self-care, authenticity, and the power of community, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique paths and prioritize their well-being.

Welcome to the Real Life. Real Kitchen Podcast with your host, Zoë F. Willis, English mother-of-many, Mum Mentor, and your host at this weekly gathering of real talk, real food, and real family life.

Each week I sit down with someone whose work nourishes minds, bodies, or communities. From the kitchen table to the wider world, these are the quiet voices making a loud difference.

Felicia Linsky is an award-winning Hollywood Makeup & Hair Artist, Lifestyle Designer, Mindful Intuitive Healer, Podcaster, Best-selling Author , five-time cancer survivor, creator of The Well-Being Whisperer and The Conscious Beauty Lounge.

After three decades of designing and working with A-list actors on film and television, Felicia now helps design clients lives, helping high-achieving women and a few smart men reclaim their radiance, voice, and well being. Blending clean beauty, lifestyle design, science-backed wellness, frequency-based supplementation, intuitive healing, and real-talk leadership, Felicia guides clients to rebuild their lives from the inside out. Her signature approach empowers people to rise, feel seen, lead with clarity, authenticity and power.

Felicia is aligned with several award winning brands:

• Korean Skincare Company, Riman: http://Felicialinsky.Riman.com
• Lash Serum, Borboleta: www.borboleta.com
• Organic Mushroom Suplement, Frequense : www.frequense.com
• 3d Creme Makeup, Seint : www.seintofficial.com

• Website: www.felicialinsky.com
• Instagram: @felicialinsky
• Facebook: @felicialinsky

📝 Command the Chaos – The Mum Life Management Planner

https://realliferealkitchen.com/mum-life-management-planner/

💌 Join The Kitchen Correspondence – my weekly letter with episodes, reflections & family food wisdom

https://realliferealkitchen.myflodesk.com/socials

☕ Support the Show – help keep the kettle on and the podcast going

https://the-real-life-real-kitchen.captivate.fm/support

If this episode made you nod, laugh, or breathe a little deeper — please:

• Follow or subscribe to the show
• Leave a short review...

This episode delves into the pervasive sentiment among mothers of "I Miss My Old Self", an experience that often arises during the transformative journey of motherhood. This episode explores the historical context in which women were surrounded by supportive communities, contrasting it with the modern-day isolation many face as they navigate the complexities of parenting. The discussion highlights the fragmentation of familial and social networks, which has rendered the experience of motherhood increasingly solitary and challenging. We also contemplate the necessity of creating nurturing communities and the importance of allowing oneself moments of respite—what we refer to as "running away time." Ultimately, this episode serves as a poignant reminder of the need for connection, support, and self-care amidst the demands of motherhood.

Welcome to the Real Life. Real Kitchen Podcast with Zoë F. Willis, English mother-of-many, Mum Mentor, and your host at this weekly gathering of real talk, real food, and real family life.

This is one of my short Mum Chats — a personal musing on "I miss my old self" and it was a real blessing to be joined by Nina Evans, homeopath and mother of four, of www.holistichealthwithnina.co.uk.

If you’ve ever reheated your tea three times before drinking it, you’re in the right place.

Whether you’re folding laundry, wrangling dinner, or just carving out five minutes of calm then this one’s for you.

📝 Command the Chaos – The Mum Life Management Planner

https://realliferealkitchen.com/mum-life-management-planner/

💌 Join The Kitchen Correspondence – my weekly letter with episodes, reflections & family food wisdom

https://realliferealkitchen.myflodesk.com/socials

☕ Support the Show – help keep the kettle on and the podcast going

https://the-real-life-real-kitchen.captivate.fm/support

If this episode made you nod, laugh, or breathe a little deeper — please:

• Follow or subscribe to the show
• Leave a short review (it really helps!)
• Share this episode with a fellow mum who might be quietly asking the same questions

• 📸 Instagram – @realliferealkitchen
• 👩‍👧‍👦 Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/realliferealkitchen
• ▶️ YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@Realliferealkitchen
• 🏡 Website – www.realliferealkitchen.com

Takeaways:

• The podcast emphasizes the importance of community in navigating the challenges of motherhood, highlighting how historical support systems have diminished over time.
• This episode discusses the feeling of losing one's identity in motherhood, suggesting that many mothers grapple with missing their pre-motherhood selves.
• Listeners are encouraged to embrace vulnerability and seek support from others, recognizing that shared experiences...