If you have a narcissistic family member, you know how quickly they can derail the holidays. Perhaps it’s a criticism of Sally’s new boyfriend, a meltdown over the dessert selection, or an offensive joke that shifts the mood in the whole room. And without realizing it, you slip back into old survival habits like over-explaining, […]
Narcissist Trying to Ruin the Holiday? Here’s How to Handle It Read More »
Holidays can be a challenging time for those who’ve cut ties with relatives, whether you have no contact or limited contact with toxic family members. Society often equates happy holidays with idealized family gatherings and meaningful family traditions. So, it’s not surprising that so many estranged adult children find the holiday season difficult. Holidays can
Coping with the Holidays When You’re Estranged from Family Read More »
The holidays are a time for yummy treats, joyful reunions, festive decorations, and…stress? Yep, even the most festive among us can find ourselves tangled in a web of expectations, obligations, and traditions that leave us feeling more drained than jolly. This year, let’s let go of stressful holiday traditions by setting boundaries that protect our
The holidays tend to be a “season of stress” for many of us. There’s often too much to do, pressure to find and buy the perfect gifts, obligations to spend time with relatives whom we’d rather not see, and an expectation that we will do it all with ease. And on top of that, you
I’ve gathered all of my resources for coping with the holidays here for easy access. If you’re having a hard time, I hope you’ll find some support and guidance to help you through the challenges that often come with the holidays. Articles Videos Podcasts Free Guide Paid Resources
The holidays are here again! We all know it’s supposed to be a joyful time of year – filled with happy family gatherings, plentiful gifts, and a joyful spirit. But for some, the reality is far different – the family gatherings are painful, finances are tight, and you feel anxious and overwhelmed. How can we
Holiday Self-Care: Coping with Stress and Difficult Family Relationships Read More »
The holidays are difficult for a lot of people. It could be that your holidays involve family conflicts, financial pressures, or are associated with bad memories. And even if you generally enjoy the holidays, they can be stressful because you’re extra busy, not following your normal routine, and feel tired and overwhelmed. Most of us
7 Tips to Manage Difficult Feelings During the Holidays Read More »
As Christmas and the New Year approach, it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy — the sense that you must do more, spend more, be more. All of this pressure and unrealistic expectations can make it hard to fully enjoy the holidays. It keeps us busy and distracted from what matters most. Would
If you’re feeling sad on Valentine’s Day, you’re not alone. Valentine’s Day can be a depressing holiday for a lot of people. We all know that we don’t need a special day to express our love or cherish our partners. Valentine’s Day may be a “Hallmark holiday”, but none the less, most people expect their
