Episode Overview
It’s Christmas Eve, and today we’re sitting with one word that has shown up again and again this year: connection.
Not the glossy, picture-perfect kind we see in adverts, but the quiet, truthful kind that grounds us - especially when the season feels full, loud, or lonely.

In this short episode, we explore why connection becomes harder to access at the very moment we need it most, and how presence - with ourselves and with others - can bring us back to what matters.

Key Discussion Points

• The gap between expectation and reality at Christmas — and why it can feel so emotional.
• Loneliness statistics in Australia and the UK that reveal how many people struggle at this time of year.
• Why real connection starts with being present with yourself, even when your feelings are uncomfortable.
• The role of vulnerability in meaningful relationships - and how dropping the performance opens the door to genuine closeness.
• How to feel connected even if you’re spending Christmas alone.

Listener Takeaways

• Connection isn’t about the size of your table - it’s about the honesty you bring to it.
• You’re allowed to acknowledge sadness, overwhelm, or loneliness at Christmas. Naming it is part of connection too.
• Presence is the most meaningful gift you can offer, whether to yourself or someone you love.
• You are worthy of connection exactly as you are - no performance required.
• The small, human moments often matter far more than the carefully orchestrated ones.

Join the Conversation

How are you feeling heading into Christmas this year?
Is there someone you want to reconnect with - including yourself?
Send us a DM or voicemail. We’d love to hear what this season brings up for you.

Links:

• Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod
• Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePod
• Email us at hello@youkeepmesane.com

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Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie Fahy

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Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.