Do the holidays leave you feeling more drained than joyful? Are you overwhelmed by obligations, stretched thin by commitments, and barely finding a moment for yourself? If you’ve ever wondered how to reclaim the magic of the season on your terms, this post is for you.
The holidays—whether it’s Easter, Thanksgiving, Diwali, or any other celebration—can be a whirlwind of family expectations, packed schedules, and emotional triggers. But here’s the thing: the rules are all made up. So why not make your own? Let’s talk about how to prioritize self-care, set healthy boundaries, and create traditions that actually light you up.
Self-Care: Your Non-Negotiable Holiday Gift to Yourself
The holidays can easily drain your energy if you don’t carve out time for yourself. Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. It’s absolutely required if you’re going to show up fully for the people you love.
Start by scheduling time for yourself as non-negotiable. This could be a quiet morning walk, a warm bath, or simply a cup of coffee in peace before everyone wakes up. These daily micro-moments of mindfulness can keep you grounded, even when the world around you feels chaotic.
And let’s talk about perfectionism. Your holiday doesn’t need to be Instagram-perfect. It just needs to feel good for you.
One of my favourite ways to simplify the holidays is by creating fun new traditions. For example, instead of cooking a big traditional meal, we order pizza or Chinese food. It saves me the stress of slaving over a stove and gives me more time to enjoy the people I’m with.
Boundaries: The Pathway to Peace
When it comes to the holidays, boundaries are essential. Setting boundaries without guilt can be a challenge, but remember: boundaries aren’t walls—they’re pathways to a more peaceful, joyful experience.
Communicate your boundaries early and clearly. For example, I won’t be able to stay the whole day, but I’d love to come by for a couple of hours. Use “I” statements to express your needs, like, I need some quiet time in the afternoon to recharge before we carry on.
Setting boundaries isn’t about rejecting other people—it’s about protecting your energy so you can show up as your best self. And bonus: you’re modelling healthy behaviour for your kids and family, too.
Reimagining Traditions: What Works for You?
The holidays often come with the weight of tradition. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to do things just because that’s the way they’ve always been done. The rules are all made up, and you get to decide which traditions work for you—and which ones don’t.
What if, instead of hosting big family gatherings year after year, you told your family you’re scaling back? Maybe you go to the movies together or start a new tradition that reflects your current energy and values.
In my family, we’ve reimagined what the holidays mean to us. We’ve gone on vacations, skipped big formal dinners, and replaced gift-giving with shared experiences. One year, instead of buying my kids a bunch of gifts, we created a treasure hunt that ended with the surprise announcement of a family trip to Mexico. It was a lighthearted, low-pressure way to spend the day—and a memory they’ll cherish forever.
How to Know It’s Working
How will you know if these changes are actually working? Watch for these signs:
- You wake up feeling excited rather than anxious about the holidays.
- You can say no to additional commitments without spiralling into guilt.
- Your sleep quality stays consistent throughout the season.
- You find yourself present and enjoying moments instead of merely surviving them.
- Your relationships feel more authentic and connected, not strained.
- You have energy left at the end of the celebration instead of feeling completely depleted.
These aren’t just feel-good metrics—they’re real indicators that you’re creating a sustainable, joyful holiday season that works for you.
Take Action and Reclaim Your Holidays
Here’s your practical action step: take a moment to reflect on what truly matters most to you. What traditions bring you joy? Where do new boundaries need to be set? And how can you incorporate more self-care into your routine?
Start with one or two simple changes. Maybe it’s saying no to an event that drains you or creating a new tradition that feels aligned with your values. Baby steps lead to significant shifts.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
If this post resonated with you, I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment and let me know: What’s one tradition you’d like to reimagine or one boundary you’re setting this holiday season?
And if you want to dive deeper into this topic, check out the full podcast episode, Navigating the Holidays: Self-Care, Boundaries, and New Traditions, on Create Your Happy. It’s packed with even more insights and tools to help you create a holiday season that feels joyful and aligned. You’ll also find additional resources to help you create a healthy, happy holiday season below.
Together, let’s create holidays that are rooted in joy, peace, and connection.
I love you! Now let’s go do some epic holiday shit, shall we?
Christy xo
Tune into the full episode here:
Additional Resources
Love, Unstuck Book & Bonuses: Ready to transform how you show up during the holidays and beyond? Love Unstuck is packed with tools for setting healthy boundaries, honouring your needs, and creating authentic connections–everything you need to navigate family dynamics and create more joy this season. Get your copy today!
Sweary AF Meditations Need a quick escape from holiday chaos? These unique, no-BS meditations are perfect for finding your f*cking zen between family gatherings or when you need a moment of peace. Each meditation takes less than 5 minutes but can transform your holiday mood from stressed to blessed. Check them out here.
Additional resources and offerings
More Great Content
Embracing Peaceful Holidays: The Power of Boundaries
Holiday Harmony: 5 Tips to Feast & Family Bliss
A Self-Care Revolution: Why Putting Yourself First Isn’t Selfish
Master Boundaries for Healthier Relationships and Self Growth
Listen/ Watch
S3E32 | Navigating the Holidays: Self-Care, Boundaries, and New Traditions
For more insights and discussions, don’t forget to subscribe to Create Your Happy on your favourite podcast player, and grab your copy of my book, “Love, Unstuck.”. Together, let’s redefine what it means to be successful in our relationships.
