Holiday Season: When the Most Wonderful Time of Year Doesn’t Feel Wonderful

This season can be warm and joyful. But it can also feel heavy, overstimulating, lonely, or overwhelming, and both truths can exist together.

If the holidays feel hard this year, it might be because:

✨ You’re burnt out.You’ve been pouring from an empty cup for months.

✨ You’re masking.Showing up with a smile while carrying quiet stress or sadness.

✨ You’re navigating complicated family relationships.Boundaries matter this time of year more than ever.

✨ You’re grieving.Whether it’s a person, a past version of yourself, or a life chapter that’s ending.

✨ You’re tired of pretending you’re okay.Holiday culture leaves no room for emotional honesty.

The truth is: You don’t need to “be festive” to be worthy.You don’t need to feel joy on command.You don’t need to perform happiness for others.

What you can do:

• honor your energy

• say no without justification

• choose simplicity over pressure

• create your own meaning

• show up authentically, even if your authenticity is tired

Your experience is valid.Your emotions don’t need to match the season.You don’t owe anyone a holiday version of you.