What Hallmark Holiday Movies Teach Us About Transformation
You either love them or hate them, but you can’t argue with the idea that Hallmark has a way of drawing us in at the holidays. Maybe it’s the perfectly fallen snow, the cozy coffee shops and bakeries filled with gingerbread goodies, or the predictably happy endings–whatever it is, it gives us all the feels. So why do these movies make us feel so much? Well, there’s definitely an element of nostalgia and seasonal cheer, but there’s also some science behind it. They resonate because they mirror our own psychological journeys through change and growth. They’re a candy cane filled masterclass in navigating big life changes, finding ourselves, and rewriting the narrative of our life.
Your brain is wired for transformation through storytelling.
The Invitation for Magic
Hallmark movies often begin with the main character at a crossroads. They’re burned out from their big city job, navigating a brutal breakup, grieving the loss of a parent, or just feeling disconnected and they don’t know why. This is what we call a Liminal Space, the “in-between” stage when you are leaving one season of life behind but haven’t yet stepped into a new one. It’s an uncomfortable phase, for sure, which is why most of my clients come to me when they are in this phase of life (I even created a group called The Liminal Space for that exact reason). But icky as it is, this stage is crucial for transformation. We need to sit in the in-between, to step away from our old identity so that we can explore the unknown. That’s where we find ourselves (our new selves) again.
The characters in the movies don’t realize that they are headed for magic. Their vision is blinded by their own ideas of what a small town might be or by all the “shoulds” and to do lists on their plate back home. Or maybe they can’t see anything ahead. But the magic is there, waiting. All they have to do is accept the invitation.
If this feels like your life, you aren’t alone. Take heart in knowing that this messy middle is exactly where you need to be right now. It’s the first step towards the magic.
Turning Pain into Gold
The heart of every Hallmark movie centers around the small glimmers and lessons that help the main character turn their pain into progress. It may look like predictable bingo card activities like snowball fights and baking cookies, but these tiny magical moments foster connection and creativity–and ultimately rewire the brain for growth. You see, our brains are wired to look for threats. We call this the negative bias, and it’s part of our brain’s survival mode. We DO need to look for threats to our safety. But sometimes the negative bias is on an override switch. We need to teach the brain that connecting and uplifting things (glimmers) happen, too.
We often fall into the trap of thinking that transformation has to be this huge overhaul of our lives, and hindsight definitely makes it seem like that. But if you look closer, it’s the incremental shifts that lead to the big moments of transformation. Just like our protagonist slowly changes by baking cookies with loved ones or rediscovering a childhood passion, we shift through similar moments, building blocks for larger breakthroughs.
Of course, sometimes these tiny shifts aren’t so glimmery. In the movies, there’s typically a moment of miscommunication or defensiveness that creates conflict for the main characters. Will they go back to life as it was? Or will they stay in Snow Valley? I’m sure you’ve had these moments in your own life. I know I have. It’s why I created my Alchemy Lab, where I guide participants in working through these moments and the “raw materials” like grief, fear, and confusion. Using the metaphor of alchemy, they work to find the “gold” within these raw moments in their lives.
Transformation isn’t always flashy. It comes from being present with what is and looking for what could be.
Creating your own Happily Ever After
By the end of every Hallmark Holiday Movie, the protagonist has found clarity, reclaimed joy, and crafted a new life on their own terms. They’ve left behind their old life, embraced their truth, and made the decision to start that bakery, embrace love, or find purpose in a new way. Maslow called this process self-actualization–aligning with your core values, accepting your Whole Self (flaws and all), and designing a life that reflects more of who you are, rather than who you felt you were “supposed” to be.
This process is exactly what I work on with my clients–encouraging them to own their story and design a life or business that better reflects who they’ve become through all our work together. I even designed a new program, Wonderland, to guide them through those last few bold steps into their new chapter (Stay tuned for the launch in 2025).
The happily ever after isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating a life that feels meaningful, aligned with your inner integrity, and unique for your journey.
The Secret Sauce–Why Hallmark Movies will Continue to Resonate
Humans are wired for story. It’s how we make sense out of this chaotic whirlwind we call life. And Hallmark Holiday Movies contain so many of the universal themes we find in our own stories–love, courage, and our need for community. Although Hallmark wraps it all up in 2 hours, the journey is still familiar to us. Whether you’re navigating the unknown, finding small moments of growth, or boldly creating your next chapter, you are both the actor and the author in your journey. And you absolutely have the power to rewrite the story you’re living.
The next time you cozy up with your hot cocoa and turn on a Hallmark Holiday Movie, notice where you are in your own journey. Are you standing at the edge of the unknown, like my clients in the Liminal Space? Turning raw experiences into gold, like my Alchemy Lab clients? Or boldly stepping into your next chapter? Wherever you are on your journey, remember that transformation may not happen overnight, but it’s so worth the deep inner work.
Want to learn more about navigating your own journey? I’m ready to guide you. Sign up for a discovery call today.
