How to Enjoy the Holidays Instead of Just Surviving Them
How to Enjoy the Holidays Instead of Just Surviving Them
Feeling overwhelmed by holiday expectations?
Gift lists, party planning, family obligations, work deadlines, financial pressure, decorating, cooking, hosting, traveling... and somewhere in all of this, you're supposed to feel joyful and grateful.
If you're feeling more stressed than festive, you're not alone.
The holidays weren't meant to be a stress marathon. They were meant to be about connection, love, and celebration. But somewhere along the way, they became about perfection, performance, and pleasing everyone else while ignoring your own needs.
The Holiday Expectation Trap
Modern holidays come with an impossible list of expectations:
You're supposed to:
Buy the perfect gifts for everyone
Attend every party and gathering
Create magical experiences for your family
Maintain a spotless, beautifully decorated home
Cook elaborate meals from scratch
Be grateful and joyful at all times
Stay within budget while making everyone happy
Balance work deadlines with holiday preparations
All while:
Managing family dynamics
Dealing with seasonal depression
Navigating financial stress
Maintaining your regular responsibilities
Taking care of your own needs (ha!)
If you're feeling overwhelmed by all these expectations, try this clearing: Clear Stress - This helps you release the pressure and find your center.
Who Decided What the Holidays Should Look Like?
Here's a radical question: Who decided what your holidays should look like?
Was it you? Or was it a combination of:
Family traditions you inherited
Cultural expectations from media and advertising
Social pressure from what others are doing
Childhood memories you're trying to recreate
Guilt about disappointing people
Most of our holiday stress comes from trying to meet expectations that aren't even ours.
For clearing external expectations: Choose to be Happy - Clear Out Negative Thoughts - This helps you distinguish between your authentic desires and imposed expectations.
Permission to Do the Holidays Differently
What if I gave you permission to do the holidays exactly how YOU want to do them?
You have permission to:
Skip events that feel draining
Set a budget and stick to it without guilt
Ask for help instead of doing everything yourself
Create new traditions that actually bring you joy
Say no to obligations that don't align with your values
Prioritize rest and self-care during the busy season
Feel whatever you're feeling without forcing joy
You don't have to:
Make everyone else happy at your own expense
Recreate someone else's idea of perfect holidays
Attend every gathering you're invited to
Give gifts you can't afford
Host if you don't want to
Pretend to be merry if you're not feeling it
Additional support for setting holiday boundaries: Resistance and Fear of Change - This helps you release the fear of disappointing others.
What Would Enjoyable Holidays Look Like for You?
Take a moment to imagine holidays that actually bring you joy instead of stress.
What would that look like?
Smaller gatherings with people you genuinely enjoy?
Simple traditions that don't require weeks of preparation?
Gift-giving that feels meaningful rather than obligatory?
Time for rest and reflection instead of constant activity?
Celebrations that honor your energy levels and needs?
Flexibility to change plans if something isn't working?
What would it feel like?
Peaceful instead of frantic
Connected instead of performative
Authentic instead of forced
Nourishing instead of draining
Joyful instead of stressful
For aligning with what truly brings you joy: Energy Clearing to Start the Attitude of Gratitude - This helps you connect with authentic appreciation and joy.
The Art of Holiday Simplification
Enjoyable holidays often come from simplification, not complication.
Simplify gift-giving:
Set spending limits that don't stress your budget
Focus on meaningful gifts rather than expensive ones
Consider experiences or homemade gifts
Draw names for large families instead of buying for everyone
Simplify entertaining:
Potluck gatherings where everyone contributes
Simple menus that don't require days of preparation
Paper plates and casual settings
Focus on connection over perfection
Simplify traditions:
Keep what brings joy, release what feels like obligation
Create new traditions that fit your current life
Let go of activities that no longer serve you
Remember: traditions should serve you, not the other way around
Managing Holiday Energy
The holidays can be energetically overwhelming, especially for sensitive people.
Energy management strategies:
Schedule downtime between social events
Take breaks during gatherings to reset your energy
Clear absorbed stress and emotions regularly
Protect your sleep schedule as much as possible
Say no to commitments that drain you
For comprehensive holiday energy support: Energetic Overwhelm for Empaths - This specifically addresses holiday overwhelm for sensitive people.
Redefining Holiday Success
Success during the holidays isn't measured by how perfectly you execute everyone else's expectations.
Holiday success is:
Maintaining your peace and well-being
Creating meaningful connections with people you love
Honoring your own needs while being generous to others
Finding moments of genuine joy and gratitude
Ending the season feeling nourished rather than depleted
Your Assignment
This week, take some time to define what enjoyable holidays would look like for YOU.
Ask yourself:
What holiday expectations am I carrying that aren't actually mine?
What would I do differently if I prioritized my own well-being?
What traditions bring me genuine joy, and what feels like obligation?
How can I simplify this season to focus on what really matters?
Remember: You get to choose what the holidays mean to you. You don't have to survive the season - you can actually enjoy it.
Want to learn how to do this work yourself? Check out my Eraser Methodâ„¢ training or schedule a free 15-minute call to see if we can work together one-on-one.
