November 23rd 2026
Happy Momentum Monday (on a Sunday)!
The One About Spending Spirals, December Money Panic & ADHD Brains
If your bank account feels personally attacked by Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the “limited-time-only” energy floating around right now… same.
This time of year is basically a dopamine Olympics for our brains.
Sales everywhere. Pressure everywhere. Gift guilt. Money shame.
And somehow we forget it’s ALSO the longest gap between paychecks for a lot of people. Cute!!!
So if you’re already bracing for a December wobble, you’re not behind, you’re not irresponsible, and you’re definitely not the only one.
Let’s break this down in a way that actually helps you feel steady again.
Why this time of year hits our brains so damn hard
ADHD + holiday season =
impulsivity emotional spending time blindness “future me will deal with it” mode shame spirals afterward
It’s a perfect storm of dopamine-driven decisions with a future financial hangover attached.
But here’s the good news:
You don’t need a whole new budgeting system.
You don’t need spreadsheets (unless that’s your thing).
You don’t need to suddenly become a minimalist monk.
You just need a tiny interrupt, something that slows the autopilot long enough to make a choice you won’t hate later.
This Week’s Momentum Shift: The 48-Hour Pause
Before you buy anything that isn’t essential, try this little rule:
If it’s not food, meds, or something you already planned to buy → it goes on a 48-hour list, not on your credit card.
Not “don’t buy it.”
Not “be disciplined.”
Just… wait two sleeps.
Why this works for our brains:
It interrupts impulsivity
It keeps dopamine from driving the bus
It gives your nervous system time to chill
It lets Future You weigh in (they smart as hell)
The desire usually fades once the emotional spike passes
I know you know this, but it’s wild how many “must haves” turn into “eh, nevermind” when you give your brain a breather.
Oh, also, if you’re used to letting your dopamine gremlins run the show, this is going to feel teeeerrrrrible. Sit with it. I know it might feel like you’re coming out of your skin but I promise you, this too shall pass!
Your Micro-Action
Right now, literally this second, make a note on your phone called:
“Stuff I Want to Buy (48h List)”
That’s it.
That’s this week’s step.
Drop everything in there instead of checking out, links, screenshots, whatever you need.
You can even send it to me if you want accountability.
I’ll hype you up and keep you honest. 
You’re not bad with money, your brain just runs on vibes.
You’re trying to navigate a season that society has built (and banked on) around urgency, shoulds, pressure, guilt, and dopamine traps… while also trying to meet everyone else’s expectations as well as your own.
Of course it’s hard.
Of course you feel stretched.
Of course impulse spending is louder right now.
You’re not messed up, you’re human, wired the way you’re wired.
And we can absolutely make this feel steadier. It all starts with one decision.
See you next week,
Leah 
P.S. If reading this made something in you whisper “I really need help with this…” listen to that.
You’re not the kind of person who wants to keep reliving the same money stress, the same overwhelm, the same patterns that knock you sideways every December.
You’re the kind of person who knows something has to shift,
and you’re brave enough to actually do something about it.
And here’s the truth nobody says out loud:
Not getting support has a cost, too.
Staying in the same loops is expensive.
Not only in money but in peace.
In time.
In confidence.
In the energy you lose every time you swear, “next month will be different,” and it isn’t… because nothing around you changed.
If you’re done repeating the same cycle, and you’re ready to feel steadier, clearer, and more in control as you walk into 2026, I’d love to support you.
I’ve got 1:1 spots opening for early 2026, and this is genuinely the best time to get started.
Not because of the new year… but because Future You deserves to stop surviving and start feeling grounded again.
Book a free call hereYou don’t have to white-knuckle your way through another season.
You’re allowed to get support.
And you’re allowed to build a version of yourself that doesn’t start from zero every. damn. time.