Ah, the holidays. Children laughing, people passing, and the smell of resentment thick in the air.

What? I’m not supposed to say that part out loud?

Here’s the thing: the holidays ARE magical… for the people not in charge of them. But for women - who often do the vast majority of the planning and purchasing and hostessing and cooking and cleaning and decorating, not just during the holidays, but the rest of the year - it can feel like same $#!*, different day… but on steroids.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking away from listener-submitted questions to tackle something every single one of my therapy clients talks about this time of year: holiday overwhelm. If you’re tired of the endless “shoulds” and mounting pressure, let’s take some power back and change things up.

I’m sharing a simple, two-step strategy to help you get clear on what you really want this holiday season—and make decisions that actually get you there. Whether it’s setting boundaries, cutting back, or finding peace in the chaos, this episode will show you how to bring joy back to the holidays (without sacrificing your sanity).

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

Why the holidays feel so overwhelming (it’s not just you!).
The sneaky ways external and internal pressures steal your joy.
How to define your “holiday true north” and use it to guide your choices.
Small but powerful tweaks to make the season feel lighter, happier, and more you.

Ready to make this your best holiday season yet? Let’s dive in.

~~LAST CHANCE! COMPLETE THE SURVEY BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER 28, 2024, AND YOU WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN A $50 GIFT CARD.~~ ~~As if you needed any additional incentive to submit your own question, which may be answered on a future episode of~~ ~~Sounds Like Therapy.~~

UPDATE: The 2024 Gift Card Thank You Drawing is over - congrats to listener Rachel on her big win! - but the survey is still live! I want Sounds Like Therapy to be your favorite podcast, and your feedback directly helps me shape the show! Plus, you can submit your question for consideration for a future episode. Thanks for taking the survey! You're the best!!

Disclaimer: while this podcast sounds like therapy, it is not actually therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy, and while I am a therapist, I am not YOUR therapist. Please be entertained and encouraged, and seek appropriate mental health support from a licensed therapist in your community, if necessary.

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The Secret to More Joy (and Less Resentment) This Holiday Season

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