We’ve all heard the phrase “You are what you eat,” but lately I’ve been reminded that this idea goes far deeper than nutrition.

What you consume… consumes you.
Not just food.
Not just drinks.
But content, conversations, energy, media, and even spiritual nourishment.

This theme kept showing up in my life over the last few weeks, so much so that I couldn’t ignore it.

It began during a Bible study on the “I Am” statements of Jesus.
When we studied “I am the bread of life,” the commentary pointed out that whatever you consume ultimately shapes you. What you take in becomes what you carry, what influences you, what grows within you.

And I realized:
This is true in every area of life.

How Consumption Quietly Shapes Our Lives

As a nutrition coach, I see it literally every day:

• When you consume junk, you feel like junk.

• When you consume nourishing food, you function better.

But it goes beyond nutrition.

I noticed it in my media choices, too.

There was a stretch of time when I listened to news podcasts every morning, filled with nothing but negativity, fear, outrage, and division. I told myself I was staying “informed,” but what was actually happening was this:

The anger I listened to started becoming the anger I felt.
The pessimism I heard became the pessimism I carried.
The fear they fueled became the lens through which I viewed the world.

The input became the outcome.

And then there was TikTok…

A few too many nights of endless scrolling left me feeling judgmental, distracted, and mentally cluttered.
Nothing was wrong with the app itself, but the type of content I was consuming was affecting my attitude, my patience, and my peace.

We rarely notice the shift happening in real time.
But slowly… silently… what we consume begins to consume us.

Making the Shift: Choosing What Feeds You

Over the last several weeks, I’ve been practicing something much more intentional:

✨ Listening to positive podcasts
✨ Reading uplifting or encouraging stories
✨ Turning on praise music in the mornings
✨ Listening to my audio Bible during the day
✨ Fueling my body with better food
✨ Creating boundaries around negative or draining content

The difference has been noticeable not just in my mood but also in my relationships, my productivity, and my internal peace.

Because when you change your inputs, you change your mindset.
And when you change your mindset, you change your outcomes.

The Holiday Trap: Consuming What Doesn’t Fulfill

Christmas, unfortunately, has become one of the most consumer-driven times of the year.

We consume:

• More food

• More sugar

• More spending

• More expectations

• More events

• More pressure

• More comparison

And the more we consume, the more we feel consumed by:

• Stress

• Financial strain

• Busyness

• Frustration

• Disappointment

• Exhaustion

We lose sight of the true meaning of the season, the quiet, sacred, joyful message of hope and redemption, because we’re so busy consuming everything around Christmas that we forget to consume what Christmas is actually about.

What Are You Consuming This Season?

It’s worth asking yourself:

• What content am I feeding my mind?

• What conversations am I absorbing?

• What music is shaping my mood?

• What food is fueling or draining my body?

• What expectations am I letting in?

• What stressors am I allowing to take root?

Because every choice is a form of consumption and every form of consumption shapes you.

How to Create a More Positive, Peaceful Holiday Experience

Here are some simple, powerful shifts that can change your December:

1. Choose nourishing media.

Replace a negative podcast with a positive one.
Trade scrolling for scripture or a devotional.
Let uplifting content set the tone for your day.

2. Consume foods that support your well-being.

This isn’t about restriction, it’s about intention. You do not have to take anything away; try adding something nourishing instead. Check out anti-inflammatory foods to counteract the effects of sugary goodies. You’ll feel better, and that alone changes the season.

3. Create boundaries with draining people or expectations.

You do not have to attend every event or engage in every conversation that steals your peace. You can walk away when those negative conversations start; do not feed the cycle.

4. Practice stillness.

Even five quiet minutes can redirect your whole day. Let your mind digest something meaningful, not just noisy. Try the Loving Kindness guided meditation or turn on some beach waves and let your mind wander.

5. Stay rooted in what the season truly means.

Joy.
Hope.
Connection.
Gratitude.
Love.
Light.
Not consumption, perfection, or performance.

Pause and Reflect

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or stretched thin this season, pause and ask yourself:

What have I been consuming, and how is it consuming me?

You have the power to choose inputs that nourish rather than drain, that uplift rather than overwhelm, that point you back to peace instead of pressure.

This season doesn’t need to consume you.
Choose what feeds your soul and notice what begins to change.

If you need support navigating these challenges, I'd love to help! Let's schedule a free consultation call or an engaging employee workshop to tackle holiday stress and empower you for the future.