As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the preparations, expectations, and the stress of creating the "perfect" celebration. To help us rediscover the joy and peace in the little moments, we spoke with Fulvia Kryger, founder of The Glow Inst. In this journal post she shares her best advice on how to create balance and presence during this busy time – and let the small moments shine.
We are proud to present Fulvia Kryger, the founder of The Glow Inst., a space dedicated to exploring the transformative power of self-care. In a world marked by uncertainty and anxiety, she believes that care – for ourselves and for each other – is needed now more than ever. Through The Glow Inst., Fulvia creates a sanctuary for reflection and exploration, helping people discover new perspectives and tools to navigate a complex world. For Fulvia, self-care is not just about the individual; it’s about fostering connection and togetherness. She believes that small, escapist journeys – like immersing yourself in a great book – can inspire solutions, innovation, empathy, and hope.
As a mentor, Fulvia guides those who long to create beautiful and meaningful things that ripple outward and bring positive change to the world. With her warmth and depth, she inspires us to live with greater intention and presence – especially during the holiday season, when the gift of small, meaningful moments becomes more significant than ever.
Fulvia, the holiday season is often filled with expectations – both from ourselves and others. How do you navigate this pressure, and what advice would you give to those feeling overwhelmed?
I try to be patient with myself and acknowledge that this is a time that requires a lot from us – both physically and emotionally. You can show patience toward yourself by admitting when you don’t have the energy for an event or by telling your partner that you need a little extra space.
How can we get better at focusing on the small moments and being present, even when there’s so much that demands our attention during the holiday season?
Recently, I attended a copper wedding anniversary and sat across from a couple. He was a physical therapist, and she was a psychiatric nurse. I asked them what they wished everyone knew.
He replied that everyone should know not to sit for too long. The body needs to get up and stretch at least once an hour – he wished everyone understood how vital that is. She shared a research project she worked on, following a group of parents with neurodivergent children over a year. The experiment involved parents taking a five-minute break each day to simply sit with their children without asking or requiring anything. These five minutes of undisturbed presence – without looking at a phone – were filmed for analysis. She described how amazing and touching it was to see the children blossom under this kind of attention. She believes all parents should do this with their children – whether they are neurotypical, neurodivergent, young, or older.
So, I want to share Ulrick and Astrid-Marie’s wonderful advice: Let’s try to give both our bodies and children the small breaks and presence they need, especially in December, when so much is happening.
At The Glow Inst., you focus on highlighting natural beauty from within. How can we embrace this approach during a time when many feel pressured to perform – both in terms of appearance and social expectations?
I think most of us don’t want to be people who are overly concerned with beauty – I certainly don’t want to focus on it in the conventional sense. But something wonderful happens when we feel good in our bodies. Whether it’s wearing our favorite clothes, having our hair just right, or enjoying glowing skin, it gives us a feeling of freedom and openness. When we have that feeling, we can do anything. Nothing interferes with our enjoyment and happiness. We’re more present, there’s less noise, and we move differently. There’s a pride in our posture.
That’s why beauty is interesting. The word evokes many associations, but when you see beauty as an emotional state, it becomes a doorway to new experiences, thoughts, and interactions.
What practical self-care rituals or mindfulness exercises would you recommend to help create calm and presence, especially when holiday busyness is at its peak?
I will always recommend a bath. Nothing feels better than a bath where you wash and care for your hair, feeling clean, fresh, and beautiful afterward. We rarely feel unattractive after a bath, right? A bath awakens something very fine in us. That’s why the products we use in the bath matter so much – they are products we interact with when we are at our most vulnerable and open to ideas and sensory impressions.
Take a bath. It always helps.
As we approach the holidays, what’s your best advice for finding balance and joy, so we can enjoy the season without letting expectations take over?
Recognize that December is a month when you may feel overstimulated and react differently to impressions, demands, and relationships. It’s completely natural to need more rest and recharging during such a busy time.
Take more baths, go to bed a little earlier, buy a book, and embrace your quieter side.