November 21, 2025

266 — The Holiday Playbook: Family Triggers, Strong Emotions, and Gracious Boundaries

23 minutes

Does the thought of spending time with family during the holidays cause you extra stress? Do you find yourself bracing for family drama or feeling overwhelmed by social expectations? If the "happiest time of the year" feels complicated, you're not alone.

The holidays can stir up a lot of emotion and family stress. But it doesn't have to be that way. Today, I'm sharing my Holiday Playbook for dealing with family drama, strong emotions, and boundaries. Some of the things I talk about are:

How to name your season so decisions feel easier

The 3 most common family stress traps

Strategies to prepare for emotional triggers

Ways to set boundaries that actually work

Simple scripts to handle awkward conversations

What to do when emotions run high

How to know when to stick it out or step away

Tools to calm yourself in the moment

The power of planning ahead for gatherings

How to manage guilt around saying no

Why micro-goals can make a big difference

Tips for creating your own holiday playbook

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By Amy Morin

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