Every year,
Without fail,
I'd get sick as soon as the holidays rolled around.
It's not just a sniffle,
But the full-body-ache,
Feverish,
Can't-get-out-of-bed kind of sick.
It was holiday burnout.
It started young.
I'm talking elementary school young.
I remember going to the doctor,
Desperate for answers about why this was always happening.
What they shared has stuck with me to this day.
When you're constantly going at full speed and finally stop,
Your body sees it as a chance to shut down,
Its exhaustion taking over.
I realized then that my relationship with achievement was unhealthy.
By middle school,
I'd equated hard work to being a good person.
Over the years,
This belief morphed into endless holiday to-do lists.
Like smash year-end work goals,
Send 100-plus handwritten cards,
Find the perfect gifts for everyone,
Throw an unforgettable holiday party,
Make sure everyone felt appreciated and seen.
I wanted to be everything for everyone and my body paid the price.
What I learned about holiday stress.
Holiday burnout isn't just personal,
It's a societal issue.
Research shows that 75% of Americans feel overwhelmed by holiday responsibilities and 68 report financial stress from gifting and gatherings.
On top of that,
Studies from the American Institute of Stress reveal that 43% of people identify the holidays as their most stressful time of the year.
But this doesn't have to be your reality.
By learning how to set intentional boundaries,
You can reclaim your energy,
Align with your values,
And create a holiday season that feels joyful and fulfilling.
Boundaries aren't just about saying no,
They're about making space for what truly matters.
They allow you to protect your peace,
Prioritize your well-being,
And show up more fully for the moments that bring you joy.
As the holidays approach,
Think of boundaries as your bestie.
They empower you to navigate expectations,
Commitments,
And even the unexpected with clarity and confidence.
And the best part?
Boundaries are the gift that you give not just to yourself but to those around you.
Let's dive into five essential boundaries to help you embrace the season with more energy and intention.
Number one.
Boundaries with yourself.
Every boundary starts with you.
Ask yourself,
Where am I saying yes when I really mean no?
Maybe you're agreeing to bake 10 dozen cookies when you're already overwhelmed,
Or you're saying yes to traditions you don't enjoy.
When you honor your needs first,
You show others how to honor them too.
Consider this affirmation.
I promise to set healthy boundaries to protect my energy.
Number two.
Boundaries with work.
End-of-year deadlines and holiday gatherings can collide in a storm of stress.
To prevent this,
Get clear on your priorities and communicate them proactively.
Try this script.
This is an important initiative and I want to give it the focus it deserves.
Given my current workload,
Can we revisit this in January?
This simple step lets you manage expectations while staying aligned with your capacity.
Number three.
Boundaries with family.
Family gatherings can bring joy but also pressure.
Whether carrying on traditions or navigating tricky dynamics,
Remember,
Redefining what you take on is okay.
Ask yourself,
Am I doing this because it's meaningful or because it's expected of me?
Consider this script.
Let's make the holiday special by sharing the traditions.
I'll handle the cookie baking.
What would you like to bring that would bring you joy in leading this year?
Number four.
Boundaries with social media and news.
The constant stream of holiday perfection on social media and the endless news cycle can drain you.
Set limits to protect your mental health.
Try scheduling intentional breaks from your phone and turning off push notifications.
This small act can make a big difference in your energy and focus.
Consider this question.
What would it feel like to disconnect for a bit and reconnect to what truly matters?
Number five.
Boundaries with your holiday shoulds.
Just because you've always done something doesn't mean you have to keep doing it.
Reflect on what's truly meaningful and let go of the rest.
Maybe you don't need to host this year or the decorations can stay in the attic.
Maybe the holiday cards can be a thoughtful email update.
Ask yourself,
What might I do less of this year to experience more joy?
Setting boundaries isn't about keeping people out.
It's about creating space for what matters most.
It takes courage to say no,
But every time you do,
You say yes to your well-being and your most authentic self.
This holiday season,
I invite you to honor your needs and reclaim your peace and connection that you deserve.
You can do it and I'm here to help you.
Check out my holiday boundaries boot camp to dive even deeper and find what's going to work just for you.
You got this,
My friend,
And I got you.
